Chemically modified polysulfones for molecular imprinting. Synthesis and complexation with a fluorescent model template

Polysulfone (PSU) was chemically modified to prepare new molecular imprinted membranes (MIMs). Several amounts of amine and sulfonyl groups were introduced into the PSU chemical structure in order to create interactions with acid or base templates, such as biomolecules or biomacromolecules. A fluorescent dye, Acridine Orange base (AO), was used as a model template and its complexation with the prepared PSUs was monitored by spectroscopic techniques. This study showed an absence of complexation with the native PSU and a strong complexation with the aminated and the sulfonated PSUs. Partially allylated PSU bearing amine or sulfonyl groups were also synthesized. These compounds are expected to be used as precursors for designing new crosslinked molecular imprinting membranes (MIMs), exhibiting high stability of the template memory

Chemically modified polysulfones for molecular imprinting. Synthesis and complexation with a fluorescent model template

Polysulfone (PSU) was chemically modified to prepare new molecular imprinted membranes (MIMs). Several amounts of amine and sulfonyl groups were introduced into the PSU chemical structure in order to create interactions with acid or base templates, such as biomolecules or biomacromolecules. A fluorescent dye, Acridine Orange base (AO), was used as a model template and its complexation with the prepared PSUs was monitored by spectroscopic techniques. This study showed an absence of complexation with the native PSU and a strong complexation with the aminated and the sulfonated PSUs. Partially allylated PSU bearing amine or sulfonyl groups were also synthesized. These compounds are expected to be used as precursors for designing new crosslinked molecular imprinting membranes (MIMs), exhibiting high stability of the template memory

The vitamin D receptor is involved in the regulation of human breast cancer cell growth via a ligand-independent function in cytoplasm

Vitamin D has pleiotropic effects on multiple tissues, including malignant tumors. Vitamin D inhibits breast cancer growth through activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and via classical nuclear signaling pathways. Here, we demonstrate that the VDR can also function in the absence of its ligand to control behaviour of human breast cancer cells both outside and within the bone microenvironment. Stable shRNA expression was used to knock down VDR expression in MCF-7 cells, generating two VDR knockdown clonal lines. In ligand-free culture, knockdown of VDR in MCF-7 cells significantly reduced proliferation and increased apoptosis, suggesting that the VDR plays a ligand-independent role in cancer cell growth. Implantation of these VDR knockdown cells into the mammary fat pad of nude mice resulted in reduced tumor growth in vivo compared with controls. In the intra-tibial xenograft model, VDR knockdown greatly reduced the ability of the cells to form tumors in the bone microenvironment. The in vitro growth of VDR knockdown cells was rescued by the expression of a mutant form of VDR which is unable to translocate to the nucleus and hence accumulates in the cytoplasm. Thus, our data indicate that in the absence of ligand, the VDR promotes breast cancer growth both in vitro and in vivo and that cytoplasmic accumulation of VDR is sufficient to produce this effect in vitro. This new mechanism of VDR action in breast cancer cells contrasts the known anti-proliferative nuclear actions of the VDR-vitamin D ligand complex

Count every newborn; a measurement improvement roadmap for coverage data.

BACKGROUND: The Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP), launched in 2014, aims to end preventable newborn deaths and stillbirths, with national targets of ≤12 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births and ≤12 stillbirths per 1000 total births by 2030. This requires ambitious improvement of the data on care at birth and of small and sick newborns, particularly to track coverage, quality and equity. METHODS: In a multistage process, a matrix of 70 indicators were assessed by the Every Newborn steering group. Indicators were graded based on their availability and importance to ENAP, resulting in 10 core and 10 additional indicators. A consultation process was undertaken to assess the status of each ENAP core indicator definition, data availability and measurement feasibility. Coverage indicators for the specific ENAP treatment interventions were assigned task teams and given priority as they were identified as requiring the most technical work. Consultations were held throughout. RESULTS: ENAP published 10 core indicators plus 10 additional indicators. Three core impact indicators (neonatal mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio, stillbirth rate) are well defined, with future efforts needed to focus on improving data quantity and quality. Three core indicators on coverage of care for all mothers and newborns (intrapartum/skilled birth attendance, early postnatal care, essential newborn care) have defined contact points, but gaps exist in measuring content and quality of the interventions. Four core (antenatal corticosteroids, neonatal resuscitation, treatment of serious neonatal infections, kangaroo mother care) and one additional coverage indicator for newborns at risk or with complications (chlorhexidine cord cleansing) lack indicator definitions or data, especially for denominators (population in need). To address these gaps, feasible coverage indicator definitions are presented for validity testing. Measurable process indicators to help monitor health service readiness are also presented. A major measurement gap exists to monitor care of small and sick babies, yet signal functions could be tracked similarly to emergency obstetric care. CONCLUSIONS: The ENAP Measurement Improvement Roadmap (2015-2020) outlines tools to be developed (e.g., improved birth and death registration, audit, and minimum perinatal dataset) and actions to test, validate and institutionalise proposed coverage indicators. The roadmap presents a unique opportunity to strengthen routine health information systems, crosslinking these data with civil registration and vital statistics and population-based surveys. Real measurement change requires intentional transfer of leadership to countries with the greatest disease burden and will be achieved by working with centres of excellence and existing networks

The development of the Computer Center User\u27s Guide: An analysis

Abstract not availabl

Context, congregation and community: The influence of social context on creating a sense of community in Catholic parishes

There are over 19,000 Catholic parishes in the United States (CARA 2010) and they vary in a lot of different ways. The current study sought to understand the variations in sense of community (SOC) in Catholic parishes. In addition to developing a picture of SOC in Catholic parishes, the current study also looks in the various institutional and contextual factors that have an effect on SOC. Through the theoretical frameworks of Open-Systems, Resource Dependence and Human Resources hypotheses relating to contextual factors were posited predicting that parishes located in counties that are more homogenous will score higher in SOC and parishes located in counties that are more stable will score higher in SOC. Hypotheses relating to institutional factors predict that smaller parishes and parishes with an ethnic identity will have score higher in SOC. Lastly, the hypothesis regarding the human resources dimension predicts that parishes with strong leadership will score higher in SOC. Data from the 2006 Catholic Parish Life Survey, along with data from the 1990 and 2000 U.S. Census and data from the Glenmary Research Center in 1990 and 2000 were used to test the hypotheses. Bivariate correlations, contingency table analysis and multivariate regression were used. The results of the statistical analysis were surprising and so interactions between the various independent variables are also investigated. Only one hypothesis was supported by the data, parishes with a strong leader score higher in SOC than those without a strong leader. This finding held true even when interaction effects between the context and leadership were taken into account

Identification of androgen-dependent proteins synthesized in vitro by the ram epididymis

International audienc