Influence of Pore Size on Carbon Dioxide Diffusion in Two Isoreticular Metal-Organic Frameworks

The rapid diffusion of molecules in porous materials is critical for numerous applications including separations, energy storage, sensing, and catalysis. A common strategy for tuning guest diffusion rates is to vary the material pore size, although detailed studies that isolate the effect of changing this particular variable are lacking. Here, we begin to address this challenge by measuring the diffusion of carbon dioxide in two isoreticular metal-organic frameworks featuring channels with different diameters, Zn2(dobdc) (dobdc4- = 2,5-dioxidobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylate) and Zn2(dobpdc) (dobpdc4- = 4,4′-dioxidobiphenyl-3,3′-dicarboxylate), using pulsed field gradient NMR spectroscopy. An increase in the pore diameter from 15 Å in Zn2(dobdc) to 22 Å in Zn2(dobpdc) is accompanied by an increase in the self-diffusion of CO2 by a factor of 4 to 6, depending on the gas pressure. Analysis of the diffusion anisotropy in Zn2(dobdc) reveals that the self-diffusion coefficient for motion of CO2 along the framework channels is at least 10000 times greater than for motion between the framework channels. Our findings should aid the design of improved porous materials for a range of applications where diffusion plays a critical role in determining performance

CLDN9 (claudin 9)

Review on CLDN9 (claudin 9), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

CLDN6 (claudin 6)

Review on CLDN6 (claudin 6), with data on DNA, on the protein encoded, and where the gene is implicated

Quantification of Leishmania infantum DNA in females, eggs and larvae of Rhipicephalus sanguineus

<p/> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Leishmania infantum </it>is a widespread parasite that affects dogs and humans worldwide. It is transmitted primarily by phlebotomine sand flies, but recently there has been much discussion on the role of the brown dog tick, <it>Rhipicephalus sanguineus</it>, as a potential vector for this protozoan. Recent laboratory and field investigations have contributed to this hypothesis, but a proof of the vector capacity of <it>R. sanguineus </it>has yet to be provided. Following a recent study suggesting that <it>L. infantum </it>passes transovarially from the female tick to her progeny the current study provides new evidence of the transovarial transmission of <it>L. infantum </it>in <it>R. sanguineus</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Engorged females of <it>R. sanguineus </it>were collected from the environment in a dog shelter of southern Italy, where canine leishmaniosis is endemic. In the laboratory, 97 females that successfully laid eggs, their eggs and the originated larvae were subjected to DNA extraction and then tested by a TaqMan-based real time PCR targeting a fragment of the kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) of <it>L. infantum</it>.</p> <p>Results and conclusions</p> <p><it>L. infantum </it>kDNA was detected in engorged females, their eggs and originating larvae, with a parasite load ranging from 1.8 × 10^-4to 10.0 × 10⁰. Certainly, the current study provides further evidence on the passage of <it>L. infantum </it>from <it>R. sanguineus </it>females to their offspring. The observation of promastigote forms in larvae is necessary to definitively confirm this hypothesis, which would raise interesting questions about the possible role of ticks in the maintenance of <it>L. infantum </it>infection among dogs in certain areas.</p

Angry opposition to government redress: when the structurally advantaged perceive themselves as relatively deprived

We examined (structurally advantaged) non-Aborigines' willingness for political action against government redress to (structurally disadvantaged) Aborigines in Australia. We found non-Aborigines opposed to government redress to be high in symbolic racism and to perceive their ingroup as deprived relative to Aborigines. However, only perceived relative deprivation was associated with feelings of group-based anger. In addition, consistent with relative deprivation and emotion theory, it was group-based anger that fully mediated a willingness for political action against government redress. Thus, the specific group-based emotion of anger explained why symbolic racism and relative deprivation promoted a willingness for political action against government redress to a structurally disadvantaged out-group. Theoretical and political implications are discussed

Lean mass explains the association between muscular fitness and bone outcomes in 13-year-old boys

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Wiley via the DOI in this record AIM: This study investigated the associations between fitness indices and bone outcomes in young males. METHODS: Data were collected between autumn and winter 2014-2015 on 121 males with a mean age of 13.1 ± 0.1 years: 41 swimmers, 37 footballers, 29 cyclists and 14 nonathletes. Participants were recruited from athletic clubs and schools across South West England. Lean mass, areal bone mineral density and hip structural estimates were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The relationships between bone outcomes and the vertical jump, standing long jump and the 20-m shuttle run test were analysed using three regression models: model 1 was adjusted by age and stature, model 2 added vigorous physical activity and model 3 then added lean mass. RESULTS: The boys' performance in the vertical jump and standing long jump was positively associated with the majority of bone outcomes in models 1 and 2, but most of these disappeared in model 3. The 20-m shuttle run test was positively associated with most bone outcomes in all three models. Lean mass played a key role in the association between muscular fitness and bone outcomes. CONCLUSION: Vigorous physical activity did not explain the associations between fitness and bone outcomes, but lean mass did.European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013

Risk assessment and suicide by patients with schizophrenia in secondary mental healthcare: a case-control study

Objectives: To investigate the role of risk assessment in predicting suicide in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs) receiving secondary mental healthcare. We postulated that risk assessment plays a limited role in predicting suicide in these patients. Design: Retrospective case–control study. Setting: Anonymised electronic mental health record data from the South London and Maudsley National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust (SLaM) (London, UK) linked with national mortality data. Participants: In 242 227 SLaM service users up to 31 December 2013, 635 suicides were identified. 96 (15.1%) had a SSD diagnosis. Those who died before 1 January 2007 (n=25) were removed from the analyses. Thus, 71 participants with SSD who died from suicide over the study period (cases) were compared with 355 controls. Main outcome measure: Risk of suicide in relation to risk assessment ratings. Results: Cases were younger at first contact with services (mean±SD 34.5±12.6 vs 39.2±15.2) and with a higher preponderance of males (OR=2.07, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.65, p=0.01) than controls. Also, suicide occurred within 10 days after last contact with services in half of cases, with the most common suicide methods being hanging (14) and jumping (13). Cases were more likely to have the following ‘risk assessment’ items previously recorded: suicidal history (OR=4.42, 95% CI 2.01 to 9.65, p<0.001), use of violent method (OR=3.37, 95% CI 1.47 to 7.74, p=0.01), suicidal ideation (OR=3.57, 95% CI 1.40 to 9.07, p=0.01) and recent hospital discharge (OR=2.71, 95% CI 1.17 to 6.28, p=0.04). Multiple regression models predicted only 21.5% of the suicide outcome variance. Conclusions: Predicting suicide in schizophrenia is highly challenging due to the high prevalence of risk factors within this diagnostic group irrespective of outcome, including suicide. Nevertheless, older age at first contact with mental health services and lack of suicidal history and suicidal ideation are useful protective markers indicative of those less likely to end their own lives

Memory stem T cells modified with a redesigned CD30-chimeric antigen receptor show an enhanced antitumor effect in Hodgkin lymphoma

Altres ajuts: This work was supported in part by grants from La Marató TV3 (Exp. 20130710), Deutsche José Carreras Leukämie Stiftung (DJCSL 10R/2016), Fundación Científica Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC-AIO2017), Fundacion Bancaria 'La Caixa', TerCel (SG/11/2008)Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) with mature T cells modified with a chimeric antigen receptor has demonstrated improved outcome for B-cell malignancies. However, its application for others such as Hodgkin lymphoma remains a clinical challenge. CD30 antigen, expressed in Hodgkin lymphoma cells, is absent in most healthy tissues, representing an ideal target of ACT for this disease. Despite that, efficacy of CD30-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for Hodgkin lymphoma remains modest. Here, we have developed and tested a novel CD30-CAR T to improve efficacy of CD30-CAR therapy, using a targeting epitope within the non-cleavable part of CD30 receptor, and memory stem T cells (T) to improve engraftment, persistence and antitumor activity. T cultures were generated and expanded ex vivo and transduced at day 1 or 2 with a lentiviral vector encoding the CD30-CAR. Therapeutic in vivo experiments were performed using NSG mice injected with L540 (sc) or L428 (iv) and treated with CD30-CAR T cells when the tumor was established. CD30-CAR T cells generated and expanded ex vivo, despite CD30 expression and fratricide killing of CD30 + CAR T cells, were not impaired by soluble CD30 and completely eradicated Hodgkin lymphoma in vivo, showing high persistence and long-lasting immunity. In addition, highly enriched CD30-CAR T products confer a survival advantage in vivo, in contrast to more differentiated CAR T cells, with higher tumor infiltration and enhanced antitumor effect. This study supports the use of a refined CD30-CAR T cells with highly enriched T products to improve clinical efficacy of CAR T for Hodgkin lymphoma. We have studied the efficacy of a redesigned CD30-chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting a proximal epitope to enhance the antitumor efficacy. CD30-CAR T cells show potent in vivo antitumor effect in different Hodgkin lymphoma models, and overcome inhibition by soluble CD30. CD30-CAR memory stem T-cell products show long-term persistence, improved tumor homing and long-lasting immunity

Accurate masses and radii of normal stars: modern results and applications

This paper presents and discusses a critical compilation of accurate, fundamental determinations of stellar masses and radii. We have identified 95 detached binary systems containing 190 stars (94 eclipsing systems, and alpha Centauri) that satisfy our criterion that the mass and radius of both stars be known to 3% or better. To these we add interstellar reddening, effective temperature, metal abundance, rotational velocity and apsidal motion determinations when available, and we compute a number of other physical parameters, notably luminosity and distance. We discuss the use of this information for testing models of stellar evolution. The amount and quality of the data also allow us to analyse the tidal evolution of the systems in considerable depth, testing prescriptions of rotational synchronisation and orbital circularisation in greater detail than possible before. The new data also enable us to derive empirical calibrations of M and R for single (post-) main-sequence stars above 0.6 M(Sun). Simple, polynomial functions of T(eff), log g and [Fe/H] yield M and R with errors of 6% and 3%, respectively. Excellent agreement is found with independent determinations for host stars of transiting extrasolar planets, and good agreement with determinations of M and R from stellar models as constrained by trigonometric parallaxes and spectroscopic values of T(eff) and [Fe/H]. Finally, we list a set of 23 interferometric binaries with masses known to better than 3%, but without fundamental radius determinations (except alpha Aur). We discuss the prospects for improving these and other stellar parameters in the near future.Comment: 56 pages including figures and tables. To appear in The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review. Ascii versions of the tables will appear in the online version of the articl