ELISA- and Activity Assay-Based Quantification of BMP-2 Released In Vitro Can Be Biased by Solubility in “Physiological” Buffers and an Interfering Effect of Chitosan

Chitosan nanogel-coated polycaprolactone (PCL) fiber mat-based implant prototypes with tailored release of bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) are a promising approach to achieve implant-mediated bone regeneration. In order to ensure reliable in vitro release results, the robustness of a commercially available ELISA for E. coli-derived BMP-2 and the parallel determination of BMP-2 recovery using a quantitative biological activity assay were investigated within a common release setup, with special reference to solubility and matrix effects. Without bovine serum albumin and Tween 20 as solubilizing additives to release media buffed at physiological pH, BMP-2 recoveries after release were notably reduced. In contrast, the addition of chitosan to release samples caused an excessive recovery. A possible explanation for these effects is the reversible aggregation tendency of BMP-2, which might be influenced by an interaction with chitosan. The interfering effects highlighted in this study are of great importance for bio-assay-based BMP-2 quantification, especially in the context of pharmaceutical release experiments

Development and Application of the Owner-Bird Relationship Scale (OBRS) to Assess the Relation of Humans to Their Pet Birds

Only a few birds besides domestic pigeons and poultry can be described as domesticated. Therefore, keeping a pet bird can be challenging, and the human-avian relationship will have a major influence on the quality of this cohabitation. Studies that focus on characterizing the owner-bird relationship generally use adapted cat/dog scales which may not identify its specific features. Following a sociological approach, a concept of human-animal relationship was developed leading to three types of human-animal relationship (impersonal, personal, and close personal). This concept was used to develop a 21-item owner-bird-relationship scale (OBRS). This scale was applied to measure the relationship between pet bird owners (or keepers) (n = 1,444) and their birds in an online survey performed in Germany. Factor analysis revealed that the relationship between owner and bird consisted of four dimensions: the tendency of the owner to anthropomorphize the bird;the social support the bird provides for the owner;the empathy, attentiveness, and respect of the owner toward the bird;and the relationship of the bird toward the owner. More than one quarter of the German bird owners of this sample showed an impersonal, half a personal, and less than a quarter a close personal relationship to their bird. The relationship varied with the socio-demographic characteristics of the owners, such as gender, marital status, and education. This scale supports more comprehensive quantitative research into the human-bird relationship in the broad field of human-animal studies including the psychology and sociology of animals as well as animal welfare and veterinary medicine

GnRH Binding RNA and DNA Spiegelmers A Novel Approach toward GnRH Antagonism

AbstractMirror-image oligonucleotide ligands (Spiegelmers) that bind to the pharmacologically relevant target gonadotropin-releasing hormone I (GnRH) with high affinity and high specificity have been identified using the Spiegelmer technology. GnRH is a decapeptide that plays an important role in mammalian reproduction and sexual maturation and is associated with several benign and malignant diseases. First, aptamers that bind to D-GnRH with dissociation constants of 50–100 nM were isolated out of RNA and DNA libraries. The respective enantiomers of the DNA and RNA aptamers were synthesized, and their binding to L-GnRH was shown. These Spiegelmers bind to L-GnRH with similar affinity to that of the corresponding aptamers that bind to D-GnRH. We further demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of GnRH-induced Ca2+ release in Chinese hamster ovary cells that were stably transfected with the human GnRH receptor

PSB33 protein sustains photosystem II in plant chloroplasts under UV-A light

Plants can quickly and dynamically respond to spectral and intensity variations of the incident light. These responses include activation of developmental processes, morphological changes, and photosynthetic acclimation that ensure optimal energy conversion and minimal photoinhibition. Plant adaptation and acclimation to environmental changes have been extensively studied, but many details surrounding these processes remain elusive. The photosystem II (PSII)-associated protein PSB33 plays a fundamental role in sustaining PSII as well as in the regulation of the light antenna in fluctuating light. We investigated how PSB33 knock-out Arabidopsis plants perform under different light qualities. psb33 plants displayed a reduction of 88% of total fresh weight compared to wild type plants when cultivated at the boundary of UV-A and blue light. The sensitivity towards UV-A light was associated with a lower abundance of PSII proteins, which reduces psb33 plants\u27 capacity for photosynthesis. The UV-A phenotype was found to be linked to altered phytohormone status and changed thylakoid ultrastructure. Our results collectively show that PSB33 is involved in a UV-A light-mediated mechanism to maintain a functional PSII pool in the chloroplast

The Perception of Brazilians on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Low-Carbon Economy

Sustainable development, which aims to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs, has become increasingly important as our planet faces escalating pollution and environmental challenges. The Low Carbon Economy (LCE) seeks to promote sustainable development by utilizing renewable energy sources to reduce environmental damage. In line with this objective, the United Nations launched the 2030 Agenda, comprising 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which require collaborative efforts from civil society, governments, and businesses across 193 signatory countries to address global issues, particularly climate change. This research employs a quantitative and descriptive methodology, utilizing a survey conducted in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), to assess the relevance of SDGs in the context of the Low Carbon Economy. The findings indicate strong correlations between the 17 SDGs and the Low Carbon Economy, as perceived by the respondents. Thus, the study confirms that the observed variables of the SDGs significantly influence the LCE, demonstrating the interdependence of all SDGs in shaping the Low Carbon Economy.

Die Mensch-Tier-Beziehung in der tierärztlichen Praxis

Welche Relevanz hat die Beziehung des Besitzers zu seinem Tier für die Tätigkeit einer tierärztlichen Praxis? Es kann von einem Interaktionsdreieck gesprochen werden, in dem sich Besitzer, Tier und Tierarzt/Tierärztin gegenseitig beeinflussen (Taubert 2015). Diverse Studien konnten einen Zusammenhang zwischen dem Einfluss des Menschen auf das Wohlbefinden des Tieres und der Mensch-Tier-Beziehung zeigen (Bergler et al. 2011; Klaphake und Smith 2002; Kurdek 2008; Lue et al. 2008; Patronek et al. 1996). Für die vorliegende Studie wurde die Mensch-Tier-Beziehung aus der Perspektive der tierärztlichen Untersuchung und Behandlung von Heimtieren in den Blick genommen. Mittels der Dimensionen: „Serie von Interaktionen“, „personale Entität, Du-Evidenz“, „Gegenseitigkeit“, „Emotionales Band“ und „Empathie“ wurden drei Konzepte der Mensch-Tier-Beziehung vorgeschlagen (unpersönliche, persönliche sowie enge persönliche Mensch-Tier-Beziehung). In einem interdisziplinären Ansatz zwischen Tiermedizin und Soziologie wurde eine psychometrische Skala („Owner-Bird-Relationship-Scale“) als Instrument zur Erfassung der Mensch-Vogel-Beziehung entwickelt und getestet. Dieses Messinstrument wurde in einem standardisierten Online-Fragebogen an Vogelhalter in Deutschland verbreitet. Die Auswertung der Befragung von 1458 Vogelhaltern erfolgte mittels multivariater Analyseverfahren. Die Beziehung zwischen Vogelhaltern und ihren Vögeln ließ sich im Rahmen von Faktorenanalysen mittels vier Beziehungsdimensionen beschreiben und war spezifisch für die jeweilige Besitzer-Vogel-Konstellation. Anhand der Ausprägungen der Beziehungsdimensionen konnten mit Hilfe clusteranalytischer Verfahren fünf verschiedene Typen von Vogelhaltern identifiziert werden. Es konnte mittels multivariater linearer und logistischer Regressionsverfahren gezeigt werden, dass die Beziehung des Halters zu seinem Vogel Einfluss auf das Verhalten des Besitzers in der tierärztlichen Untersuchung und Behandlung hat. Es bestand ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Mensch-Vogel-Beziehung und jeweils der Bereitschaft hohe Tierarztkosten zu tragen, dem Informationsverhalten des Halters, dem Verhalten im Erkrankungsfall sowie der Bedeutung der Spezialisierung eines Tierarztes für den Vogelhalter

Ambient BTEX exposure and mid-pregnancy inflammatory biomarkers in pregnant African American women

Air pollution is associated with preterm birth (PTB), potentially via inflammation. We recently showed the mixture benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) is associated with PTB. We examined if ambient BTEX exposure is associated with mid-pregnancy inflammation in a sample of 140 African-American women residing in Detroit, Michigan. The Geospatial Determinants of Health Outcomes Consortium study collected outdoor air pollution measurements in Detroit; these data were coupled with Michigan Air Sampling Network measurements to develop monthly BTEX concentration estimates at a spatial density of 300 m(2). First trimester and mid-pregnancy BTEX exposure estimates were assigned to maternal address. Mid-pregnancy (mean 21.3 ± 3.7 weeks gestation) inflammatory biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were measured with enzyme immunoassays. After covariate adjustment, for every 1-unit increase in first trimester BTEX, there was an expected mean increase in log-transformed IL-1β of 0.05 ± 0.02 units (P = 0.014) and an expected mean increase in log-transformed tumor necrosis factor-α of 0.07 ± 0.02 units (P = 0.006). Similarly, for every 1-unit increase in mid-pregnancy BTEX, there was a mean increase in log IL-1β of 0.06 ± 0.03 units (P = 0.027). There was no association of either first trimester or mid-pregnancy BTEX with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, IL-10, or IL-6 (all P \u3e 0.05). Ambient BTEX exposure is associated with inflammation in mid-pregnancy in African-American women. Future studies examining if inflammation mediates associations between BTEX exposure and PTB are needed

PSB33 protein sustains Photosystem II in plant chloroplasts under UVA light

Plants can quickly and dynamically respond to spectral and intensity variations of the incident light. These responses include activation of developmental processes, morphological changes, and photosynthetic acclimation that ensure optimal energy conversion and minimal photoinhibition. Plant adaptation and acclimation to environmental changes have been extensively studied, but many details surrounding these processes remain elusive. The Photosystem II (PSII) associated protein PSB33 plays a fundamental role in sustaining PSII as well as in the regulation of the light antenna in fluctuating lights. We investigated how PSB33 knock-out plants perform under different light qualities. psb33 plants displayed 88% lower fresh weight compared to wild type plants when cultivated in the border of UVA-blue light. The sensitivity towards UVA light was associated with a lower abundance of PSII proteins, which reduces psb33 plants´ capacity for photosynthesis. The UVA phenotype was further found to be linked to altered phytohormone status and changed thylakoid ultrastructure. Our results collectively show that PSB33 is involved in a UVA light-mediated mechanism to maintain a functional PSII pool in the chloroplast

IMRT commissioning: multiple institution planning and dosimetry comparisons, a report from AAPM Task Group 119.

AAPM Task Group 119 has produced quantitative confidence limits as baseline expectation values for IMRT commissioning. A set of test cases was developed to assess the overall accuracy of planning and delivery of IMRT treatments. Each test uses contours of targets and avoidance structures drawn within rectangular phantoms. These tests were planned, delivered, measured, and analyzed by nine facilities using a variety of IMRT planning and delivery systems. Each facility had passed the Radiological Physics Center credentialing tests for IMRT. The agreement between the planned and measured doses was determined using ion chamber dosimetry in high and low dose regions, film dosimetry on coronal planes in the phantom with all fields delivered, and planar dosimetry for each field measured perpendicular to the central axis. The planar dose distributions were assessed using gamma criteria of 3%/3 mm. The mean values and standard deviations were used to develop confidence limits for the test results using the concept confidence limit = /mean/ + 1.96sigma. Other facilities can use the test protocol and results as a basis for comparison to this group. Locally derived confidence limits that substantially exceed these baseline values may indicate the need for improved IMRT commissioning

Metallodrug profiling against SARS-CoV-2 target proteins identifies highly potent inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction and the papain-like protease PL^pro

The global spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has called for an urgent need for dedicated antiviral therapeutics. Metal complexes are commonly underrepresented in compound libraries that are used for screening in drug discovery campaigns, however, there is growing evidence for their role in medicinal chemistry. Based on previous results, we have selected more than 100 structurally diverse metal complexes for profiling as inhibitors of two relevant SARS-CoV-2 replication mechanisms, namely the interaction of the spike (S) protein with the ACE2 receptor and the papain-like protease PLpro. In addition to many well-established types of mononuclear experimental metallodrugs, the pool of compounds tested was extended to approved metal-based therapeutics such as silver sulfadiazine and thiomersal, as well as polyoxometalates (POMs). Among the mononuclear metal complexes, only a small number of active inhibitors of the S/ACE2 interaction was identified, with titanocene dichloride as the only strong inhibitor. However, among the gold and silver containing complexes many turned out to be very potent inhibitors of PLpro activity. Highly promising activity against both targets was noted for many POMs. Selected complexes were evaluated in antiviral SARS-CoV-2 assays confirming activity for gold complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) or dithiocarbamato ligands, a silver NHC complex, titanocene dichloride as well as a POM compound. These studies might provide starting points for the design of metal-based SARS-CoV-2 antiviral agents