Norbornene-chitosan spray-dried microspheres for peptide conjugation using thiol-ene “photoclick” chemistry

This work was financed by Portuguese funds through FCT/MCTES (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação) in the framework of the projects 2022.06048.PTDC (i3S), UIDB/50006/2020 (LAQV-REQUIMTE), LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE) and UIDB/00511/2020 (LEPABE). P.A. (SFRH/BD/145471/2019) and D.F. (SFRH/ BD/146890/2019) doctoral grants, were financially supported by national (FCT/Norte 2020 Framework) and European Union (ESF – European Social Fund) funds. B.E. acknowledges FCT for the contract based on the “Lei do Emprego Científico” (DL 57/2016). Maria Cristina L. Martins also acknowledges FCT (LA/P/0070/2020), project Bio2Skin Advanced (2021-24):NORTE-01-0247-FEDER-047225; and MOBILIsE Project, which has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 951723.The action of bioactive peptides, such as antimicrobial peptides (AMP), in the human body is often compromised by limited residence time and stability in the target site. Bioconjugation of peptides to biomaterial surfaces is one of the strategies that may overcome these limitations. Herein, norbornene-chitosan (NorChit) microspheres were engineered to react with thiolated peptides by thiolene “photoclick” chemistry. NorChit microspheres were produced by spray drying and crosslinked with dithiothreitol (DTT) to prevent their solubilization. Microspheres with a diameter of 5 ± 2 µm showed round and smooth morphology with pockets over the surface that could be related with hydrophobic interactions between internal norbornene groups. Thiol-ene bioconjugation carried out using a fluorescent model peptide, showed a yield of 45%, whereas using the peptide but without UV exposure indicated a maximum of peptide adsorption of 30%. Altogether, NorChit microspheres show the potential for carrying bioactive peptides, which may open avenues for AMP activity onto harsh environments in the bod

Block-based syntax from context-free grammars

Block-based programming systems employ a jigsaw metaphor to write programs. They are popular in the domain of programming education (e.g., Scratch), but also used as a programming interface for end-users in other disciplines, such as arts, robotics, and configuration management. In particular, block-based environments promise a convenient interface for Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) for domain experts who might lack a traditional programming education. However, building a block-based environment for a DSL from scratch requires significant effort. This paper presents an approach to engineer block-based language interfaces by reusing existing language artifacts. We present Kogi, a tool for deriving block-based environments from context-free grammars. We identify and define the abstract structure for describing block-based environments. Kogi transforms a context-free grammar into this structure, which then generates a block-based environment based on Google Blockly. The approach is illustrated with four case studies, a DSL for state machines, Sonification Blocks (a DSL for sound synthesis), Pico (a simple programming language), and QL (a DSL for questionnaires). The results show that usable block-based environments can be derived from context-free grammars, and with an order of magnitude reduction in effort

Simulation study of phenol degradation by Fenton process using ASPEN-Plus

421-428Present study deals with the simulation of the Fenton’s process for the removal of phenol using ASPEN-Plus. The effect of phenol concentration, catalyst loading, mole ratio of H2O2 to iron ion, and temperature on the phenol degradation rate has been studied using the developed process flow diagram. The result shows higher flow rate of hydrogen peroxide (4.2 kmol/h) favours phenol degradation (98%) since the hydroxyl radical availability rises. Increase in catalyst loading (186 g) and rise in mole ratio of hydrogen peroxide to iron ion (~1) improves the removal of phenol (~97%) from wastewater since the hydroxyl radical formation improves and thus affect the mechanism and chemical kinetics of Fenton reaction. Increase in temperature improves the degradation, however high temperature above optimum condition (32.5C) does not favour the degradation of phenol

A new species of pine anole from the Sierra Madre del Sur in Oaxaca, Mexico (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae: Anolis)

Kohler, Her, Gome, Raul, Pe, P., Mende, R., Cru, De La (2014): A new species of pine anole from the Sierra Madre del Sur in Oaxaca, Mexico (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae: Anolis). Zootaxa 3753 (5): 453-468, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3753.5.

Overactive bladder symptons in pregnancy and puerpery: Is there a relationship between the symptoms score and quality of life?

Introduction and objective: During pregnancy, hormonal change, increase in the body mass index and the pressure caused by the enlarged uterus over the bladder and pelvic floor, are some factors involved in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This study was made to evaluate the correlation between pregnancy and delivery way with LUTS. Material and method: This open prospective study was carried out using the overactive bladder questionnaire short form (OABq-SF). A total of 60 patients enrolled this study. The mean age was 24 year, raging from 14 to 40 years. The patients were evaluated during the third trimester and 6 months after delivery. Statistical analysis of the OABq-SF scores was made using the Pearson method. Results: Mean OABq-SF score during pregnancy was 35.2 and 6 months after delivery decreased to15. Quality of life was 82.9 during pregnancy and increased to 88.4 at 6 month after delivery. Patient's perception, that is correlation, was 55.02 (p=0.0001) during pregnancy and 36.1% (p=0.0046). Clinical correlation index was 6.7%. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that in spite of LUTS being more important during pregnancy, there is no significant clinical correlation in patient's perception. (C) 2010 AEU. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.34979479