Surface enrichment in equimolar mixtures of non-functionalized and functionalized imidazolium-based ionic liquids

For equimolar mixtures of ionic liquids with imidazolium‐based cations of very different electronic structure, we observe very pronounced surface enrichment effects by angle‐resolved X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For a mixture with the same anion, that is, 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate+1,3‐di(methoxy)imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C8C1Im][PF6]+[(MeO)2Im][PF6]), we find a strong enrichment of the octyl chain‐containing [C8C1Im]+ cation and a corresponding depletion of the [(MeO)2Im]+ cation in the topmost layer. For a mixture with different cations and anions, that is, [C8C1Im][Tf2N]+[(MeO)2Im][PF6], we find both surface enrichment of the [C8C1Im]+ cation and the [Tf2N]− (bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide) anion, while [(MeO)2Im]+ and [PF6]− are depleted from the surface. We propose that the observed behavior in these mixtures is due to a lowering of the surface tension by the enriched components. Interestingly, we observe pronounced differences in the chemical shifts of the imidazolium ring signals of the [(MeO)2Im]+ cations as compared to the non‐functionalized cations. Calculations of the electronic structure and the intramolecular partial charge distribution of the cations contribute to interpreting these shifts for the two different cations

ToxoDB: an integrated Toxoplasma gondii database resource

ToxoDB (http://ToxoDB.org) is a genome and functional genomic database for the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. It incorporates the sequence and annotation of the T. gondii ME49 strain, as well as genome sequences for the GT1, VEG and RH (Chr Ia, Chr Ib) strains. Sequence information is integrated with various other genomic-scale data, including community annotation, ESTs, gene expression and proteomics data. ToxoDB has matured significantly since its initial release. Here we outline the numerous updates with respect to the data and increased functionality available on the website

GiardiaDB and TrichDB : integrated genomic resources for the eukaryotic protist pathogens Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis

© 2008 The Authors. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License. The definitive version was published in Nucleic Acids Research 37 (2009): D526-D530, doi:10.1093/nar/gkn631.GiardiaDB (http://GiardiaDB.org) and TrichDB (http://TrichDB.org) house the genome databases for Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis, respectively, and represent the latest additions to the EuPathDB (http://EuPathDB.org) family of functional genomic databases. GiardiaDB and TrichDB employ the same framework as other EuPathDB sites (CryptoDB, PlasmoDB and ToxoDB), supporting fully integrated and searchable databases. Genomic-scale data available via these resources may be queried based on BLAST searches, annotation keywords and gene ID searches, GO terms, sequence motifs and other protein characteristics. Functional queries may also be formulated, based on transcript and protein expression data from a variety of platforms. Phylogenetic relationships may also be interrogated. The ability to combine the results from independent queries, and to store queries and query results for future use facilitates complex, genome-wide mining of functional genomic data.Federal funds from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (HHSN266200400037C). Funding for open access charge: National Institutes of Health (HHSN266200400037C)

Massive Rotator Cuff Tears With Short Tendon Length Can Be Successfully Repaired Using Synthetic Patch Augmentation.

BACKGROUND Choosing the optimal treatment for massive rotator cuff tears (MRCT) still poses a surgical problem. In MRCT with good muscle quality, but short tendon length, non-augmented repairs lead to high failure rates of up to 90%. AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes of massive rotator cuff tears with good muscle quality, but short tendon length, which were repaired with synthetic patch augmentation. METHODS A retrospective study of patients who underwent arthroscopic or open rotator cuff repairs with patch augmentation between 2016 and 2019 was performed. We included patients older than 18 years, who presented with MRCT confirmed by an MRI arthrogram showing good muscle quality (Goutallier ≤II) and short tendon length (length <15mm). Constant-Murley score (CS), subjective shoulder value (SSV) and range of motion (ROM) were compared pre- and postoperatively. We excluded patients older than 75 years or with presence of rotator cuff arthropathy Hamada ≥ 2a. Patients were followed up for two years minimum. Clinical failures were defined by re-operation, forward flexion <120 or a relative CS < 70. Structural integrity of the repair was assessed using an MRI. Comparison between different variables and outcomes was performed using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Chi square tests. RESULTS Fifteen patients (mean age 57 years, 13 (86.7%) male, 9 (60%) right shoulders) were reevaluated with a mean follow-up of 43.8 months (27-55 months). There was a significant improvement in the absolute CS (from 33 to 81 points, p=0.03), the relative CS (from 41% to 88%, p=0.04), the SSV (from 31% to 93% p=0,007) and forward flexion (from 111° to 163°, p=0.004) but not in external rotation (from 37° to 38°, p=0.5). There were three clinical failures (one atraumatic, two traumatic) with re-operations (two reverse total shoulder arthroplasties and one refixation). Structurally, there were three Sugaya grade 4 and five Sugaya grade 5 re-ruptures resulting in a retear rate of 53%. The presence of a complete or partial re-rupture was not associated with inferior outcomes compared to intact cuff repairs. There were no correlations between the grade of retraction, muscle quality or rotator cuff tear configuration and re-rupture or functional outcomes. CONCLUSION Patch augmented cuff repair leads to a significant improvement of functional and structural outcomes. Partial re-ruptures were not associated with inferior functional outcomes. Prospective randomized trials are needed to confirm the results found in our study