Treatment with supplementary arginine, vitamin C and zinc in patients with pressure ulcers: A randomised controlled trial

Background &amp; AimsNutrients putatively implicated in pressure ulcer healing were evaluated in a clinical setting.MethodsSixteen inpatients with a stage 2, 3 or 4 pressure ulcer randomised to receive daily a standard hospital diet; a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements; or a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements containing additional arginine (9 g), vitamin C (500 mg) and zinc (30 mg). Nutritional status measurements (dietary, anthropometric and biochemical) and pressure ulcer size and severity (by PUSH tool; Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing; 0=completely healed, 17=greatest severity) were measured weekly for 3 weeks.ResultsPatients&rsquo; age and BMI ranges were 37&ndash;92 years and 16.4&ndash;28.1 kg/m2, respectively. Baseline PUSH scores were similar between groups (8.7&plusmn;0.5). Only patients receiving additional arginine, vitamin C and zinc demonstrated a clinically significant improvement in pressure ulcer healing (9.4&plusmn;1.2 vs. 2.6&plusmn;0.6; baseline and week 3, respectively; P&lt;0.01). All patient groups presented with low serum albumin and zinc and elevated C-reactive protein. There were no significant changes in biochemical markers, oral dietary intake or weight in any group.ConclusionsIn this small set of patients, supplementary arginine, vitamin C and zinc significantly improved the rate of pressure ulcer healing. The results need to be confirmed in a larger study.<br /

WO3 nanoparticles probes for direct electron transfer of proteins

Poster presented at the 4th International Conference on Bio-Sensing Technology, 10-13 May 2015, Lisbon

Elastic transport through dangling-bond silicon wires on H passivated Si(100)

We evaluate the electron transmission through a dangling-bond wire on Si(100)-H (2x1). Finite wires are modelled by decoupling semi-infinite Si electrodes from the dangling-bond wire with passivating H atoms. The calculations are performed using density functional theory in a non-periodic geometry along the conduction direction. We also use Wannier functions to analyze our results and to build an effective tight-binding Hamiltonian that gives us enhanced insight in the electron scattering processes. We evaluate the transmission to the different solutions that are possible for the dangling-bond wires: Jahn-Teller distorted ones, as well as antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic ones. The discretization of the electronic structure of the wires due to their finite size leads to interesting transmission properties that are fingerprints of the wire nature

Understanding Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Contrast Mechanisms on Metal Oxides: A Case Study

Cataloged from PDF version of article.A comprehensive analysis of contrast formation mechanisms in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments on a metal oxide surface is presented with the oxygen-induced (2√2 √2)R45 missing row reconstruction of the Cu(100) surface as a model system. Density functional theory and electronic transport calculations were combined to simulate the STM imaging behavior of pure and oxygen-contaminated metal tips with structurally and chemically different apexes while systematically varying bias voltage and tip sample distance. The resulting multiparameter database of computed images was used to conduct an extensive comparison with experimental data. Excellent agreement was attained for a large number of cases, suggesting that the assumed model tips reproduce most of the commonly encountered contrast-determining effects. Specifically, we find that depending on the bias voltage polarity, copper-terminated tips allow selective imaging of two structurally distinct surface Cu sites, while oxygenterminated tips show complex contrasts with pronounced asymmetry and tip sample distance dependence. Considering the structural and chemical stability of the tips reveals that the copper-terminated apexes tend to react with surface oxygen at small tip sample distances. In contrast, oxygenterminated tips are considerably more stable, allowing exclusive surface oxygen imaging at small tip sample distances. Our results provide a conclusive understanding of fundamental STM imaging mechanisms, thereby providing guidelines for experimentalists to achieve chemically selective imaging by properly selecting imaging parameters

Simultaneous measurement of multiple independent atomic-scale Interactions using scanning probe microscopy: data interpretation and the effect of cross-talk

Cataloged from PDF version of article.In high-resolution scanning probe microscopy, it is becoming increasingly common to simultaneously record multiple channels representing different tip-sample interactions to collect complementary information about the sample surface. A popular choice involves simultaneous scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) measurements, which are thought to reflect the chemical and electronic properties of the sample surface. With surface-oxidized Cu(100) as an example, we investigate whether atomic-scale information on chemical interactions can be reliably extracted from frequency shift maps obtained while using the tunneling current as the feedback parameter. Ab initio calculations of interaction forces between specific tip apexes and the surface are utilized to compare experiments with theoretical expectations. The examination reveals that constant-current operation may induce a noticeable influence of topography-feedback-induced cross-talk on the frequency shift data, resulting in misleading interpretations of local chemical interactions on the surface. Consequently, the need to apply methods such as 3D-AFM is emphasized when accurate conclusions about both the local charge density near the Fermi level, as provided by the STM channel, and the site-specific strength of tip-sample interactions (NC-AFM channel) are desired. We conclude by generalizing to the case where multiple atomic-scale interactions are being probed while only one of them is kept constant

Purification and Preliminary Characterization of Tetraheme Cytochrome c3 and Adenylylsulfate Reductase from the Peptidolytic Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Desulfovibrio aminophilus DSM 12254

Two proteins were purified and preliminarily characterized from the soluble extract of cells (310 g, wet weight) of the aminolytic and peptidolytic sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio (D.) aminophilus DSM 12254. The iron-sulfur flavoenzyme adenylylsulfate (adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate, APS) reductase, a key enzyme in the microbial dissimilatory sulfate reduction, has been purified in three chromatographic steps (DEAE-Biogel A, Source 15, and Superdex 200 columns). It contains two different subunits with molecular masses of 75 and 18 kDa. The fraction after the last purification step had a purity index (A278nm / A388nm) of 5.34, which was used for further EPR spectroscopic studies. The D. aminophilus APS reductase is very similar to the homologous enzymes isolated from D. gigas and D. desulfuricans ATCC 27774. A tetraheme cytochrome c3 (His-heme iron-His) has been purified in three chromatographic steps (DEAE- Biogel A, Source 15, and Biogel-HTP columns) and preliminarily characterized. It has a purity index ([A553nm - A570nm]red / A280nm) of 2.9 and a molecular mass of around 15 kDa, and its spectroscopic characterization (NMR and EPR) has been carried out. This hemoprotein presents similarities with the tetraheme cytochrome c3 from Desulfomicrobium (Des.) norvegicum (NMR spectra, and N-terminal amino acid sequence)

Data and Protocol for the Oxford Achieving Resilience During COVID-19 (ARC) Study

The Oxford Achieving Resilience during COVID-19 (ARC) study collected data from adolescents (aged 13–18), and parents of adolescents, from March 2020 to August 2021. Following a baseline survey (1274 completed baseline), participants were invited to 11 follow-up weekly surveys then 9 monthly follow-up surveys, and to an optional cognitive task. Each survey included questionnaires on mental health, resilience and wellbeing, COVID-19 related experiences and pandemic anxiety. Data is stored on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/4b85w/), with comprehensive documentation on all measures. These data may be valuable to adolescent mental health researchers for further analyses and aggregation with other datasets.Sam Parsons, Ana Todorovic, Michele C. Lim, Annabel Songco, Elaine Fo

Purification and Preliminary Characterization of Tetraheme Cytochrome and Adenylylsulf te Reductase from the Peptidolytic Sulfate-Reducing Bacterium Desulfovibrio aminophilus DSM 12254

Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications Volume 3 (2005), Issue 1-2, Pages 81-91Two proteins were purified and preliminarily characterized from the soluble extract of cells (310 g, wet weight) of the aminolytic and peptidolytic sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio (D.) aminophilus DSM 12254. The iron-sulfur flavoenzyme adenylylsulfate (adenosine 5"-phosphosulfate, APS)reductase, a key enzyme in the microbial dissimilatory sulfate reduction, has been purified in three chromatographic steps(DEAE-Biogel A, Source 15, and Superdex 200 columns). It contains two different subunits with molecular masses of 75 and 18 kDa. The fraction after the last purification step had a purity index (A278 ,m/A388 nm) of 5.34, which was used for further EPR spectroscopic studies. The D. aminophilus APS reductase is very similar to the homologous enzymes isolated from D. gigas and D. desulfuricans ATCC 27774. A tetraheme cytochrome c3 (His-heme iron-His) has been purified in three chromatographic steps (DEAE- Biogel A,Source 15, and Biogel-HTP columns) and preliminarily characterized. It has a purity index ([A.s.s3 nm" A570 nm]rcd/m280nm ox) of 2.9 and a molecular mass of around 15 kDa, and its spectroscopic characterization(NMR and EPR) has been carried out. This hemoprotein presents similarities with the tetraheme cytochrome c3 from Desulfomicrobium (Des.) norvegicurn (NMR spectra, and N-terminal amino acid sequence)

Epidemiología de la anaplasmosis y babesiosis bovina en el valle geográfico del río Cauca

Se determinó la prevalencia de la anaplasmosis y babesiosis bovina en 12 fincas del Valle Geográfico del río Cauca. Para el análisis de los datos, las fincas se distribuyeron de acuerdo al tipo de explotación así: I Fincas de explotación lechera. II Fincas de explotación mixta (carne y leche) y Ill Fincas de ganadería de carne. Las prevalencias encontradas indican que estas enfermedades son endémicas en Ia zona. Sin embargo las prevalencias varían según el tipo de explotación y manejo de Ia finca. Por tipo de explotación las prevalencias respectivamente fueron: Para Anaplasma marginale de: I 45%, II 73%, y III 88%. Para Babesia bigemina de: 1 46,6%, II 62,5%, y III 87,4%, y para Babesia bovis (argentina) de: I 26%, II 65.4, y III 44,4%. Estos datos indican que en una zona endémica de hemoparásitos las variaciones en prevalencia están probablemente más relacionadas con factores de manejo que con factores ambientales. El factor que más contribuyó a las bajas tasas de prevalencia a nivel de finca fue el estricto control de garrapatas, to que indica que el abuso de los baños garrapaticidas en una zona endémica, puede crear situaciones epidemiológicas inestables. Se encontró una relación inversa entre las prevalencias y los problemas de hematozoarios. En las fincas lecheras La presentación de casos clínicos agudos es mayor especialmente entre las edades de 1 a 2 años. Se recomienda Ia vacunación de animales menores de un año en este tipo de explotaciones. En las fincas de carne la presentación de casos clínicos es muy esporádica. Se encontró A. marginale asociado con casos de "secadera" Se recomienda Ia investigación del papel que juegan los hemoparásitos en este síndrome.The prevalences of bovine anaplasmosis and babesiosis were determined in 12 herds in the Cauca River Valley. For analysis, herds were distributed according to production types as follows: a) Dairy herds, b) Mixed herds (dairy and beef) and c) beef herds. The prevalences found indicated that anaplasmosis and babesiosis are endemic in the area. Nevertheless the prevalences differed according to the herd type. The prevalences by respective herd types are: For Anaplasma marginale: a) 45%, b) 73% and c) 88% for Babesia bigemina: a) 46.6%, b) 62.5% and c) 87.4% and for Babesia bois (argentina): a) 26%,b) 65.47o and c) 44.47o. These data indicated that within a hernoparasitic endemic area, the variations of the prevalences are more probably related to management factors rather than enviromental factors. The factor that most contributed to the low prevalence rates was excesive tick control. This indicated that within an endemic area excesive tick control could contribute to an unstable epidemiologicat situation. An inverse relationship was found between prevalence and hemoparasitic problems. More clinical cases were reported in dairy herds, especially among animals 1 to 2 years of age. In beef herds clinical cases were sporadic. A. marginale was found to be mostly associated with "secadera" (wasting disease) cases. Investigation of the roles of the hemoparasites in this syndrome is recommended.Ganado de leche-Ganadería lech