The role of synthesis solvent in particle size of metal organic frameworks

Metal organic frameworks are a class of nanoporous materials with pore sizes ranging from 0.5 to 3 nm and high surface areas (500-6000 m2/g). These materials have potential applications in industrial catalysis, separation and purification, bio-mimetics, drug delivery, semiconductors, sensors and other electronics. The aim of this study is to understand the role of solvent in control of the particle size of the final MOF product. CuBTC MOF has been used as a model MOF in this study to understand this effect. Altering the dielectric constant of solvents is a potential method of controlling the particle size. The data obtained in this work depicts a direct correlation between the particle size and the dielectric constant of the solvent mixture. Deviations from this rule can be potentially explained by slow evaporation rate, longer nucleation growth, as found in literature, or instability of the hydroxide ions. Literature states that the donor number and vapor pressure of the solvents also seem to affect the particle size. We observed that, while there is a direct correlation between particle size and donor number, no clear trend was observed between vapor pressure and particle size in this study.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2018/1062/thumbnail.jp

Evaluating the Efficacy of Vertebral Axial Decompression Therapy in Treatment of Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain: A Systematic Review

The primary objective of the study was to explore the effectiveness of Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D) in treating patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) as a safe and competent therapeutic method. Also, to determine the quality of life in alleviating chronic lumbar pain using mechanical Lumbar traction force applied to the lumbar spine. A systematic review and meta-analysis involving detailed literature survey on Vertebral Axial Decompression (VAX-D) therapy for patients with chronic low back pain were conducted in three databases namely MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library from (January 1994 to February 2019). Studies supporting the outcomes with qualitative statistical analysis on chronic low back pain and Lumbar traction were retrieved. We retrieved sixteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for systematic review, and 6 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion in meta-analysis with a sample size of 486 patients receiving Lumbar traction. Among them, one study was found to be high quality that detailed the positive relationship between reduction of pain intensity after VAX-D therapy. However, most of the studies are unsuccessful in demonstrating an improvement towards the patient\u27s mobility or quality of life. There is no reliable indication of the efficacy of VAX-D therapy for chronic low back pain patients. Studies on VAX-D had methodological errors and inadequate data for profound statistical analysis. Further, there was no evidence to show the dosage requirement, patient position, and settings on the VAX-D table that led to observed outcomes. Any prospect of research focusing on LBP morbidity should enable to distinguish between symptom duration and pattern with accurate standard methods. Therefore, more studies validating the effective treatment strategies in the management of patients with chronic low back pain are warranted

Regulation of c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase ( Jnk) Gene Expression during T Cell Activation

The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) are a group of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases that participate in signal transduction events mediating specific cellular functions. Activation of JNK is regulated by phosphorylation in response to cellular stress and inflammatory cytokines. Here, we demonstrate that JNK is regulated by a second, novel mechanism. Induction of Jnk gene expression is required in specific tissues before activation of this signaling pathway. The in vivo and in vitro ligation of the T cell receptor (TCR) leads to induction of JNK gene and protein expression. TCR signals are sufficient to induce JNK expression, whereas JNK phosphorylation also requires CD28-mediated costimulatory signals. Therefore, both expression and activation contribute to the regulation of the JNK pathway to ensure proper control during the course of an immune response

Relocalization of Phospholipase D Activity Mediates Membrane Formation During Meiosis

Phospholipase D (PLD) enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine and are involved in membrane trafficking and cytoskeletal reorganization. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPO14 gene encodes a PLD that is essential for meiosis. We have analyzed the role of PLD in meiosis by examining two mutant proteins, one with a point mutation in a conserved residue (Spo14pK→ H) and one with an amino-terminal deletion (Spo14pΔN), neither of which can restore meiosis in a spo14 deletion strain. Spo14pK→ H is enzymatically inactive, indicating that PLD activity is required, whereas Spo14pΔN retains PLD catalytic activity in vitro, indicating that PLD activity is not sufficient for meiosis. To explore other aspects of Spo14 function, we followed the localization of the enzyme during meiosis. Spo14p is initially distributed throughout the cell, becomes concentrated at the spindle pole bodies after the meiosis I division, and at meiosis II localizes to the new spore membrane as it surrounds the nuclei and then expands to encapsulate the associated cytoplasm during the formation of spores. The catalytically inactive protein also undergoes relocalization during meiosis; however, in the absence of PLD activity, no membrane is formed. In contrast, Spo14pΔN does not relocalize properly, indicating that the failure of this protein to complement a spo14 mutant is due to its inability to localize its PLD activity. Furthermore, we find that Spo14p movement is correlated with phosphorylation of the protein. These experiments indicate that PLD participates in regulated membrane formation during meiosis, and that both its catalytic activity and subcellular redistribution are essential for this function