Fabrication and functionalization of PCB gold electrodes suitable for DNA-based electrochemical sensing

The request of high specificity and selectivity sensors suitable for mass production is a constant demand in medical research. For applications in point-of-care diagnostics and therapy, there is a high demand for low cost and rapid sensing platforms. This paper describes the fabrication and functionalization of gold electrodes arrays for the detection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in printed circuit board (PCB) technology. The process can be implemented to produce efficiently a large number of biosensors. We report an electrolytic plating procedure to fabricate low-density gold microarrays on PCB suitable for electrochemical DNA detection in research fields such as cancer diagnostics or pharmacogenetics, where biosensors are usually targeted to detect a small number of genes. PCB technology allows producing high precision, fast and low cost microelectrodes. The surface of the microarray is functionalized with self-assembled monolayers of mercaptoundodecanoic acid or thiolated DNA. The PCB microarray is tested by cyclic voltammetry in presence of 5 mM of the redox probe K3Fe(CN6) in 0.1 M KCl. The voltammograms prove the correct immobilization of both the alkanethiol systems. The sensor is tested for detecting relevant markers for breast cancer. Results for 5 nM of the target TACSTD1 against the complementary TACSTD1 and non-complementary GRP, MYC, SCGB2A1, SCGB2A2, TOP2A probes show a remarkable detection limit of 0.05 nM and a high specificity

Technology development for a low-cost, roll-to-roll chip embedding solution based on PET foils

The aim of the research described in this paper is to develop a low-cost, roll-to-roll compatible process for the realization of electronic systems in foil using chip embedding. The small cost makes these systems suitable for disposable applications as food labels, medicine packages or smart bandages. Surface mount attaching of components on foils is a well-known process for building systems-in-foil. When using low-cost films like PEN and PET, there are serious restrictions on the maximum temperatures that can be used for the surface mounting process (soldering, adhesive bonding). Surface mounting has the additional disadvantage that the components are on the surface of the foil and are therefore not well protected mechanically and physically. The proposed process flow for embedding thin chips in PET foils overcomes these limitations. A key aspect of this technology is the application of a suitable adhesive to encapsulate the chips. The resulting product is based on full-metal copper which has a good thermal and electrical conductivity and allows for fine pitches. The process is compatible with several metal foils (Cu, Al …), offering further possibilities in cost reduction, and does not rely on bumping of the chips or plating of the interconnections to the chips

Through Prisms

This article deals with the production process of the film PRISM. Belgian filmmaker An van. Dienderen invited Brussels based filmmaker Rosine Mbakam from Cameroon and Paris based filmmaker Eléonore Yaméogo from Burkina Faso to collaborate. Our skin color serves as a departure to explore our different experiences with the bias of the cinematographic medium, which favors Caucasian skin. An van. Dienderen proposed the system of “cadavre exquis”, the surrealist collective game. But this is a Eurocentric frame of reference, set by a white film maker, and backfired during the start of the collaboration. We therefore changed the format of the film in a chain letter, in which each filmmaker is invited to present her point of view. PRISM thus wishes to create multichronotopic links between different geographical and cultural groups so as to put the decolonial call by Walter Mignolo (2009) for epistemic disobedience into practice.Cet article traite du processus de production du film PRISM. Le cinéaste belge An van. Dienderen a invité la cinéaste Rosine Mbakam du Cameroun, installée à Bruxelles, et la cinéaste Eléonore Yameogo du Burkina Faso, établie à Paris, à collaborer. La couleur de notre peau sert de point de départ pour explorer nos différentes expériences avec le biais du support cinématographique, qui favorise la peau caucasienne. Une camionnette. Dienderen a proposé le système du "cadavre exquis", le jeu collectif surréaliste. Mais il s'agit d'un cadre de référence eurocentrique, établi par un réalisateur de films blancs, et qui s'est retourné contre lui au début de la collaboration. Nous avons donc changé le format du film en une lettre en chaîne, dans laquelle chaque cinéaste est invitée à présenter son point de vue. PRISM souhaite ainsi créer des liens multichronotopiques entre différents groupes géographiques et culturels afin de mettre en pratique l'appel décolonial de Walter Mignolo (2009) à la désobéissance épistémique.Este artículo trata sobre el proceso de producción de la película PRISM. El cineasta belga An Dienderen invitó a colaborar a la cineasta Rosine Mbakam de Camerún (residente en Bruselas) y a la cineasta Eléonore Yameogo de Burkina Faso (residente en París). Nuestro color de piel sirve como punto de partida para explorar nuestras distintas vivencias con el sesgo del medio cinematográfico, que favorece la piel caucásica. An propuso el sistema del “cadavre exquis” (cadáver exquisito), el juego colectivo surrealista. Pero este es un marco de referencia eurocéntrico, establecido por un cineasta blanco, y fracasó durante el inicio de la colaboración. Por lo tanto, cambiamos el formato de la película en una cadena de cartas, en la que se invita a cada cineasta a presentar su punto de vista. PRISM desea así crear vínculos multi-cronotópicos entre diferentes grupos geográficos y culturales para poner en práctica la llamada decolonial de Walter Mignolo (2009) para la desobediencia epistémica

Discospondylitis bij de hond: een retrospectieve studie van 18 gevallen

In a retrospective study (1997-2007) of 35 patients suspected of discospondylitis (DS), the diagnosis of discospondylitis was confirmed in 18 dogs. The signalment, the appearance and the clinical presentation of the dogs were comparable to those earlier reported in the literature. Radiography was the most important diagnostic technique, but in some cases further diagnostic investigation was necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Blood- and urine culture was important to identify a possible underlying cause. Medical therapy is the treatment of choice. Most of the dogs (76%) recovered very well after treatment. The results confirm that discospondylitis has a rather favorable prognosis when medical therapy is used

An Alternating GluN1-2-1-2 Subunit Arrangement in Mature NMDA Receptors

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) form glutamate-gated ion channels that play a critical role in CNS physiology and pathology. Together with AMPA and kainate receptors, NMDARs are known to operate as tetrameric complexes with four membrane-embedded subunits associating to form a single central ion-conducting pore. While AMPA and some kainate receptors can function as homomers, NMDARs are obligatory heteromers composed of homologous but distinct subunits, most usually of the GluN1 and GluN2 types. A fundamental structural feature of NMDARs, that of the subunit arrangement around the ion pore, is still controversial. Thus, in a typical NMDAR associating two GluN1 and two GluN2 subunits, there is evidence for both alternating 1/2/1/2 and non-alternating 1/1/2/2 arrangements. Here, using a combination of electrophysiological and cross-linking experiments, we provide evidence that functional GluN1/GluN2A receptors adopt the 1/2/1/2 arrangement in which like subunits are diagonal to one another. Moreover, based on the recent crystal structure of an AMPA receptor, we show that in the agonist-binding and pore regions, the GluN1 subunits occupy a “proximal” position, closer to the central axis of the channel pore than that of GluN2 subunits. Finally, results obtained with reducing agents that differ in their membrane permeability indicate that immature (intracellular) and functional (plasma-membrane inserted) pools of NMDARs can adopt different subunit arrangements, thus stressing the importance of discriminating between the two receptor pools in assembly studies. Elucidating the quaternary arrangement of NMDARs helps to define the interface between the subunits and to understand the mechanism and pharmacology of these key signaling receptors

Amino Terminal Domains of the NMDA Receptor Are Organized as Local Heterodimers

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, an obligate heterotetrameric assembly organized as a dimer of dimers, is typically composed of two glycine-binding GluN1 subunits and two glutamate-binding GluN2 subunits. Despite the crucial role that the NMDA receptor plays in the nervous system, the specific arrangement of subunits within the dimer-of-dimer assemblage is not conclusively known. Here we studied the organization of the amino terminal domain (ATD) of the rat GluN1/GluN2A and GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptors by cysteine-directed, disulfide bond-mediated cross-linking. We found that GluN1 ATDs and GluN2 ATDs spontaneously formed disulfide bond-mediated dimers after introducing cysteines into the L1 interface of GluN2A or GluN2B ATD. The formation of dimer could be prevented by knocking out endogenous cysteines located near the L1 interface of GluN1. These results indicate that GluN1 and GluN2 ATDs form local heterodimers through the interactions in the L1-L1 interface and further demonstrate a dimer-of-heterodimer arrangement in GluN1/GluN2A and GluN1/GluN2B NMDA receptors

Academic detailing to increase colorectal cancer screening by primary care practices in Appalachian Pennsylvania

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer death. Screening is a primary method to prevent CRC, yet screening remains low in the U.S. and particularly in Appalachian Pennsylvania, a largely rural area with high rates of poverty, limited health care access, and increased CRC incidence and mortality rates. Receiving a physician recommendation for CRC screening is a primary predictor for patient adherence with screening guidelines. One strategy to disseminate practice-oriented interventions is academic detailing (AD), a method that transfers knowledge or methods to physicians, nurses or office staff through the visit(s) of a trained educator. The objective of this study was to determine acceptability and feasibility of AD among primary care practices in rural Appalachian Pennsylvania to increase CRC screening.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A multi-site, practice-based, intervention study with pre- and 6-month post-intervention review of randomly selected medical records, pre- and post-intervention surveys, as well as a post-intervention key informant interview was conducted. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients current with CRC screening recommendations and having received a CRC screening within the past year. Four practices received three separate AD visits to review four different learning modules.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We reviewed 323 records pre-intervention and 301 post-intervention. The prevalence of being current with screening recommendation was 56% in the pre-intervention, and 60% in the post-intervention (p = 0. 29), while the prevalence of having been screened in the past year increased from 17% to 35% (p < 0.001). Colonoscopies were the most frequently performed screening test. Provider knowledge was improved and AD was reported to be an acceptable intervention for CRC performance improvement by the practices.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>AD appears to be acceptable and feasible for primary care providers in rural Appalachia. A ceiling effect for CRC screening may have been a factor in no change in overall screening rates. While the study was not designed to test the efficacy of AD on CRC screening rates, our evidence suggests that AD is acceptable and may be efficacious in increasing recent CRC screening rates in Appalachian practices which could be tested through a randomized controlled study.</p

Impaired innate interferon induction in severe therapy resistant atopic asthmatic children

Deficient type I interferon-β and type III interferon-λ induction by rhinoviruses has previously been reported in mild/moderate atopic asthmatic adults. No studies have yet investigated if this occurs in severe therapy resistant asthma (STRA). Here, we show that compared with non-allergic healthy control children, bronchial epithelial cells cultured ex vivo from severe therapy resistant atopic asthmatic children have profoundly impaired interferon-β and interferon-λ mRNA and protein in response to rhinovirus (RV) and polyIC stimulation. Severe treatment resistant asthmatics also exhibited increased virus load, which negatively correlated with interferon mRNA levels. Furthermore, uninfected cells from severe therapy resistant asthmatic children showed lower levels of Toll-like receptor-3 mRNA and reduced retinoic acid inducible gene and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 mRNA after RV stimulation. These data expand on the original work, suggesting that the innate anti-viral response to RVs is impaired in asthmatic tissues and demonstrate that this is a feature of STRA