38 research outputs found
Using synthetic biological parts and microbioreactors to explore the protein expression characteristics of Escherichia coli
Synthetic
biology has developed numerous parts for the precise
control of protein expression. However, relatively little is known
about the burden these place on a host, or their reliability under
varying environmental conditions. To address this, we made use of
synthetic transcriptional and translational elements to create a combinatorial
library of constructs that modulated expression strength of a green
fluorescent protein. Combining this library with a microbioreactor
platform, we were able to perform a detailed large-scale assessment
of transient expression and growth characteristics of two <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains across several temperatures. This
revealed significant differences in the robustness of both strains
to differing types of protein expression, and a complex response of
transcriptional and translational elements to differing temperatures.
This study supports the development of reliable synthetic biological
systems capable of working across different hosts and environmental
contexts. Plasmids developed during this work have been made publicly
available to act as a reference set for future research
Best Practices for The Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Team: A Review of Mental Health Issues in Mild Stroke Survivors
Individuals with mild strokes are generally considered fully functional and do not traditionally receive rehabilitation services. Because patients with mild stroke are assumed to have a good recovery, they may have deficits in other areas, including mental health, that are not addressed. As a result, patients with mild stroke are unable to meet quality of life standards. In addition, healthcare professionals are likely unaware of the potential mental health issues that may arise in mild stroke. To address this gap in knowledge, we review the evidence supporting mental health evaluation and intervention in mild stroke. Specifically, we review comorbid diagnoses including depression, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep disturbances and their potential effects on health and function. Finally, we conclude with general recommendations describing best practice derived from current evidence
Effects of monoaminergic drugs on training-induced motor cortex plasticity in older adults
Primary motor cortex (M1) plasticity is involved in motor learning and stroke motor recovery, and enhanced by increasing monoaminergic transmission. Age impacts these processes but there is a paucity of systematic studies on the effects of monoaminergic drugs in older adults. Here, in ten older adults (age 61 + 4 years, 4 males), we determine the effects of a single oral dose of carbidopa/levodopa (DOPA), D-amphetamine (AMPH), methylphenidate (MEPH) and placebo (PLAC) on M1 excitability and motor training-induced M1 plasticity. M1 plasticity is defined as training related long lasting changes in M1 excitability and kinematics of the trained movement. At peak plasma level of the drugs, subjects trained wrist extension movements for 30 min. Outcome measures were motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation at increasing intensity (stimulus response curve, SRC) and peak acceleration of the trained wrist extension movements. Measures were obtained before and after completion of training. The curve parameters plateau (MEPmax), inflection point, and slope were extracted from SRC. At baseline drugs had a differential effect on curve parameters, while kinematics remained unchanged. Training alone (PLAC) increased MEPmax but did not improve kinematics. Drugs affected training-related changes of the curve parameters differently, but did not enhance them or kinematics when compared to PLAC. The results demonstrate that in the older adults, MEPH, DOPA, or AMPH have differential effects on baseline M1 excitability and training-related M1 plasticity but fail to enhance them above the naïve level