Disposable MMP-9 sensor based on the degradation of peptide cross-linked hydrogel films using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Barts and The London Charity and Queen Mary Innovation Lt

Initial Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens from Bacho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria

The Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition in Europe witnessed the replacement and partial absorption of local Neanderthal populations by Homo sapiens populations of African origin. However, this process probably varied across regions and its details remain largely unknown. In particular, the duration of chronological overlap between the two groups is much debated, as are the implications of this overlap for the nature of the biological and cultural interactions between Neanderthals and H. sapiens. Here we report the discovery and direct dating of human remains found in association with Initial Upper Palaeolithic artefacts, from excavations at Bacho Kiro Cave (Bulgaria). Morphological analysis of a tooth and mitochondrial DNA from several hominin bone fragments, identified through proteomic screening, assign these finds to H. sapiens and link the expansion of Initial Upper Palaeolithic technologies with the spread of H. sapiens into the mid-latitudes of Eurasia before 45 thousand years ago. The excavations yielded a wealth of bone artefacts, including pendants manufactured from cave bear teeth that are reminiscent of those later produced by the last Neanderthals of western Europe. These finds are consistent with models based on the arrival of multiple waves of H. sapiens into Europe coming into contact with declining Neanderthal populations

Current management of the gastrointestinal complications of systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem autoimmune disorder that involves the gastrointestinal tract in more than 90% of patients. This involvement can extend from the mouth to the anus, with the oesophagus and anorectum most frequently affected. Gut complications result in a plethora of presentations that impair oral intake and faecal continence and, consequently, have an adverse effect on patient quality of life, resulting in referral to gastroenterologists. The cornerstones of gastrointestinal symptom management are to optimize symptom relief and monitor for complications, in particular anaemia and malabsorption. Early intervention in patients who develop these complications is critical to minimize disease progression and improve prognosis. In the future, enhanced therapeutic strategies should be developed, based on an ever-improving understanding of the intestinal pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis. This Review describes the most commonly occurring clinical scenarios of gastrointestinal involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis as they present to the gastroenterologist, with recommendations for the suggested assessment protocol and therapy in each situation

Radiopaque acrylic Bone cements with bromine-containing monomer

International audienceOne important issue for the acrylic bone cements concerns the radiopacity, which may be achieved by different ways. In this work, a new bromine-containing acrylic monomer, the 2-(2-bromopropionyloxy) propyl methacrylate (BPPM), was synthesized and proposed to be used for providing radiopaque bone cements. Different acrylic bone cements were realized by partially replacing the methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer phase with 5-20% w/w of BPPM-comonomer. The effect of this comonomer on the curing parameters of acrylic bone cements, on their thermal and rheological properties, water absorption, density, contact angle, compression tests, and radiopacity was studied. It appears that the presence of BPPM does provide radiopacity, improves the curing parameters by decreasing the Maximum curing temperature and increasing the Setting time. The new BPPM-acrylic bone cements exhibit lower glass transition temperature and better thermal stability when compared with the classical radiolucent acrylic cements. Rheological measurements have shown that 10-20% w/w of BPPM in the liquid phase of acrylic bone cement formulations increase its flexibility, and may also induce a slight crosslinking reaction during the Curing phase. BPPM-modified acrylic bone cements present lower polymerization shrinkage and higher compression strength, and similar water uptake, porosity, and water contact angle as the radiolucent PMMA-cements