Influence of surface conditioning and morphology on biofouling

Biofouling, the undesired colonization of surfaces, is a major problem for marine-related industries. To prevent unwanted effects caused by biofouling, suitable non-toxic coatings for the marine environment are required. Conditioning, i.e. the adsorption of proteins and macromolecules influences, as surface chemistry and morphology do, the settlement of fouling oragnisms. Investigating the temporal dynamics of conditioning film formation on functionalized self assembled monolayers (SAMs), it was shown that the obtained film thickness of about 10Å to 20Å is independent of the surface chemistry but differences occur concerning the composition of these films. While on hydrophilic surfaces more proteinaceous compounds are detectable, the hydrophobic surfaces show a lower intensity of proteins. Furthermore, is was shown that in standard Ulva linza spore settlement assays the influence of a molecular conditioning layer is likely to be small, but by increasing pre-conditioning time this influence gains importance and should be considered in long term experiments. Preconditioning also resulted in detectable surface differences in field studies. It was found that preconditioned samples which contain more proteinaceous compounds seem to be more attractive for settlement. Experiments with matured laboratory biofilms formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa demonstrated that using a protein-rich medium results in conditioning film formation. Conversely, surface conditioning is reduced when a media containing a smaller amount of proteins is utilized. Furthermore, it was observed that surface chemistry has no remarkable effect on the fraction of inoculated bacteria that adhere to a surface. Finally, inspired by the nanostructured skin of dolphins, electron-beam lithography was utilized to create a honeycomb topography made of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). The evaluation showed that structures from 0.75 μm to 2.5 μm in diameter reduce Ulva settlement in comparison to a smooth PNIPAM surface. It should be noted, that wet polymer structure heights in the range of only 0.01 μm do have an effect on spores with a body size of around 5 μm

The Expression of NTAL and Its Protein Interactors Is Associated With Clinical Outcomes in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Non–T cell activation linker (NTAL) membrane protein depletion from lipid rafts by alkylphospholipids or downregulation by shRNA knockdown decreases cell viability through regulation of the Akt/PI3K pathway in mantle cell lymphoma and acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Here, we confirmed that the knockdown of NTAL in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines was associated with decreased cell proliferation and survival. Similarly, a xenograft model using AML cells transduced with NTAL–shRNA and transplanted into immunodeficient mice led to a 1.8-fold decrease in tumor burden. Using immunoprecipitation, LC–MS/MS analysis, and label-free protein quantification, we identified interactors of NTAL in two AML cell lines. By evaluating the gene expression signatures of the NTAL protein interactors using the PREdiction of Clinical Outcomes from Genomic Profiles database, we found that 12 NTAL interactors could predict overall survival in AML, in at least two independent cohorts. In addition, patients with AML exhibiting a high expression of NTAL and its interactors were associated with a leukemic granulocyte–macrophage progenitor–like state. Taken together, our data provide evidence that NTAL and its protein interactors are relevant to AML cell proliferation and survival and represent potential therapeutic targets for granulocyte–macrophage progenitor–like leukemias

The Value of Perinatal Factors, Blood Biomarkers and Microbiological Colonization Screening in Predicting Neonatal Sepsis

Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most important causes of elevated morbidity and mortality rates in neonatal intensive care units worldwide. While the clinical manifestations of neonatal sepsis tend to be nonspecific, its rapid development and life-threatening potential call for reliable markers for early detection. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study including all neonates suspected of having developed neonatal sepsis from 2013 to 2016. Perinatal and clinical characteristics as well as microbiological and laboratory findings were evaluated. Neonatal sepsis was defined as either culture-proven sepsis (positive blood culture) or clinical sepsis (at least one symptom and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations within 72 h with negative blood culture). We further differentiated between early-onset (EOS) and late-onset (LOS) sepsis. Results: Microbiological colonization screening by throat and rectal swabs frequently did not detect the organism that subsequently caused the sepsis. Depending on the age of the newborn with sepsis (EOS or LOS), associations between different anamnestic and clinical factors (prenatal or postnatal ones) were found. In particular, the central–peripheral temperature difference showed a strong association with LOS. Laboratory results useful for the early detection of neonatal sepsis included interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CRP concentrations. Conclusions: Elevated IL-6 >100 ng/L was a strong marker for neonatal sepsis. When choosing the antibiotics for treatment, data from microbiological colonization screening should be considered but not solely relied on. Some indicators of infection also depended on postnatal age

Mercados y tianguis en el siglo XXI. Repensando sus problemáticas

Los capítulos que conforman esta obra se acercan a los mercados y tianguis principalmente desde las ciencias sociales, económicas y biológicas. Sin embargo, a diferencia de estudios realizados en décadas pasadas, han encontrado nuevas problemáticas, como, por ejemplo, la relación clientelar de locatarios y tianguistas con agrupaciones mayores y partidos políticos. También se describe la disputa del mercado entre personas locales y turistas, es decir, los problemas que emergen de la museificación de estos espacios. Además, el tema de los supermercados, espacios que han ganado terreno, actualmente no deben disociarse de las lógicas comerciales de consumo.En el mundo globalizado en que vivimos, los mercados y tianguis se enfrentan a procesos de adaptación social, cultural, política y económica. Existen prácticas que continúan mientras que, a la par, aparecen nuevas formas de relacionarse con estos espacios. Por ello, los compiladores del libro, así como las y los especialistas que escriben en él, invitamos a la comunidad lectora a que utilice este libro como un referente que puede ayudarle a descubrir su propio lente para mirar a los mercados y tianguis y, al mismo tiempo, le sirva para reflexionar sobre el papel del consumo en nuestras vidas cotidianas.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Méxic