Intelligent nanomedicine integrating diagnosis and therapy

A method of controlling the activity of a biologically active compound. The method concerns an oligonucleotide-based compound, comprising a hairpin-forming oligonucleotide, an effector moiety physically associated with the oligonucleotide, where the effector moiety possesses a biological activity, and a regulating moiety physically associated with the oligonucleotide, where the regulating moiety controls the biological activity of the effector moiety by interacting with the effector moiety. The oligonucleotide can assume a hairpin configuration, where the effector and regulating moieties interact, or an open configuration, where the effector and regulating moieties fail to interact. Depending on the nature of the effector and regulating moieties, either configuration can result in the expression of the biological activity of the effector moiety

Candida rugosa lipase supported on silica-coated magnetite nanoparticles for hydrolysis of olive oil

Oil palm leaves (OPL) has high content of silica (SiO2). SiO2 has a high surface area and large pore volume which could reduce the aggregation of magnetite (Fe3O4). The coating of the superparamagnetic Fe3O4 was to enable easy separation from the reaction mixture. SiO2 extracted from OPL was coated on Fe3O4 followed by functionalization of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) and activation of glutaraldehyde to prepare a nanosupport (G-AP-SiO2-Fe3O4) for immobilisation of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL). The feasibility of the biocatalyst (CRL/G-AP-SiO2- Fe3O4) has yet to be tested in aqueous environment. In this research, the CRL/G-APSiO2- Fe3O4 was used to determine the optimum condition for hydrolysis of olive oil. The kinetic and thermodynamic properties of the CRL/G-AP-SiO2-Fe3O4 was investigated for the hydrolysis of olive oil. The study first characterised the components and the treated OPL, whereby data of the thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that the hemicellulose and lignin components in OPL were successfully reduced by acid treatment and calcination. The morphological and physiochemical facets of the extracted SiO2 were investigated by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetry analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DTG). The results revealed that SiO2 was successfully extracted from OPL and coated on the Fe3O4. Subsequently, it was activated by APTES and glutaraldehyde to yield CRL/G-AP-SiO2-Fe3O4. FTIR, XRD and TGA-DTG data showed that CRL was successfully immobilised on G-APSiO2- Fe3O4, as seen with the band arising at 1639 cm-1 by C=O and C=N stretching in FTIR. Specifically, immobilisation of CRL onto the G-AP-SiO2-Fe3O4 yielded an enzyme loading and specific activity of 14.7 mg/g and 183 U/g. The CRL/G-APSiO2- Fe3O4 was then tested to establish the optimal conditions for catalysing hydrolysis of olive oil. It was found that the optimal conditions for the reaction that yielded the best activity were enzyme loading of 1.00 mg/mL, incubation temperature of 40 ??C, pH 8.0, ratio of olive oil: water of 2.5:1, and an agitation speed of 200 rpm. Assessments of thermal stability showed that CRL/G-AP-SiO2-Fe3O4 was more resistant to thermally-induced denaturation, than free CRL. The CRL/GAP- SiO2-Fe3O4 was kinetically shown to have higher affinity towards the substrate (Michaelis-Menten constant, Km = 0.583 g/mL) but catalysed at a lower maximum rate of reaction (Vmax = 833.3 µmol/ml.min) as compared to free CRL (Km = 6.00 g/mL, Vmax = 3330 µmol/ml.min), respectively. The thermodynamic parameters based on values of half-life (t1/2 = 38.94 min), D-value (129.4 min), thermal deactivation energy (Ed = 112.90 kJ/mol), standard enthalpy of deactivation (ΔHd° = 110.10 kJ/mol) and Gibbs free energy (ΔGd° = 11.32 kJ/mol) for CRL/G-AP-SiO2- Fe3O4 conclusively showed that the lipase was appreciably more thermostable than free CRL (t1/2 = 23.89 min, D-value = 79.67 min, Ed= 93.3 kJ/mol, ΔHd° = 87.5 kJ/mol and ΔGd° = 9.8111 kJ/mol) at 60'C. The finding shows that SiO2 extracted from OPL could be coated on Fe3O4 to be used as an inorganic support for enzyme immobilisation. The results thus demonstrated that the CRL/G-AP-SiO2-Fe3O4 biocatalyst was a potential candidate for catalysing hydrolytic reactions with good reaction rates, thus envisaging its prospective application as a commercially relevant biocatalyst

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of providing essential medicines at no charge: the Carefully seLected and Easily Accessible at No Charge Medicines (CLEAN Meds) trial

Introduction: Cost-related non-adherence to medicines is common in low-income, middle-income and high-income countries such as Canada. Medicine non-adherence is associated with poor health outcomes and increased mortality. This randomised trial will test the impact of a carefully selected list of essential medicines at no charge (compared with usual medicine access) in primary care patients reporting cost-related non-adherence. Methods and analysis This is an open-label, parallel two-arm, superiority, individually randomised controlled trial conducted in three primary care sites (one urban, two rural) in Ontario, Canada, that was codesigned by a community guidance panel. Adult patients (≥18 years) who report cost-related non-adherence to medicines are eligible to participate in the study. Participants will be randomised to receive free and convenient access to a carefully selected list of 125 essential medicines (based on the WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines) or usual means of medicine access. Care for patients in both groups will otherwise be unchanged. The primary outcome of this trial is adherence to appropriately prescribed medicines. Secondary outcomes include medicine adherence, appropriate prescribing, blood pressure, haemoglobin A1c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, patient-oriented outcomes and healthcare costs. All participants will be followed for at least 12 months. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained in all three participating sites. Results of the main trial and secondary outcomes will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and discussed with members of the public and decision makers. Trial registration number NCT02744963

Aku & cagar budaya: masa lalu yang melebur dalam kekinian

Aku dan Cagar Budaya, merupakan sebuah buku berisi kumpulan karya yang ditulis secara popular oleh 30 orang penulis wanita di bawah komunitas Ibu-ibu Doyan Nulis (dinaungi oleh Indscript Creative) yang berkisah tentang pesona Cagar Budaya Indonesia. Para penulis dari berbagai latar belakang pendidikan dan profesi yang berasal dari berbagai daerah telah mengungkap kemegahan, keindahan, kemanfaatan serta nilainilai yang terkandung pada objek cagar budaya yang ada di sekitarnya. Membagikan pengetahuan mereka kepada pembaca terkait informasi kecagarbudayaan dan kepedulian mereka terhadap cagar budaya

Molecular inference of sources and spreading patterns of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites in internally displaced persons settlements in Myanmar–China border area

In Myanmar, civil unrest and establishment of internally displaced persons (IDP) settlement along the Myanmar-China border have impacted malaria transmission. The growing IDP populations raise deep concerns about health impact on local communities. Microsatellite markers were used to examine the source and spreading patterns of Plasmodium falciparum between IDP settlement and surrounding villages in Myanmar along the China border. Genotypic structure of P. falciparum was compared over the past three years from the same area and the demographic history was inferred to determine the source of recent infections. In addition, we examined if border migration is a factor of P. falciparum infections in China by determining gene flow patterns across borders. Compared to local community, the IDP samples showed a reduced and consistently lower genetic diversity over the past three years. A strong signature of genetic bottleneck was detected in the IDP samples. P. falciparum infections from the border regions in China were genetically similar to Myanmar and parasite gene flow was not constrained by geographical distance. Reduced genetic diversity of P. falciparum suggested intense malaria control within the IDP settlement. Human movement was a key factor to the spread of malaria both locally in Myanmar and across the international border

Improving CO2 separation performance of thin film composite hollow fiber with Pebax (R) 1657/ionic liquid gel membranes

Blending CO2-selective ionic liquid with block copolymers have been shown to improve the gas separation performance. In this work, defect-free Pebax (R) 1657/[emim][BF4] gel membranes were fabricated in the form of thin film composite hollow-fiber membranes to meet the mechanical stability and high packing density requirement for industrial application. Environmentally benign solvent comprising ethanol/water mixture (70/30 w/w) was selected to allow up to 80 wt% IL loading with 300% improvement in CO2 permeability and CO2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 selectivities of 36 and 15, respectively. Characterizations of membrane morphological change responding to the IL loading indicated that the preferential interaction between IL and PEO segments was by hydrogen bonding that resulted in decrease in polymer crystallinity, but this interaction inhibited potential interaction with CO2, which lowered the gas permeability below the estimated value. Examinations on the effects of various operating conditions on the TFC gel membranes showed excellent mechanical durability and chemical stability of the membranes and good CO2 separation performance with mixed-gas feed containing traces of water vapor and NOx, suggesting the potential application for CO2 capture with real gas feed. The stability of the high IL-loaded gel membranes with up to 8 bar feed pressure also opens up possibility for other industrial gas applications

Chemically modified nanoparticles from oil palm ash silica-coated magnetite as support for Candida rugosa lipase-catalysed hydrolysis: kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Herein, silica (SiO2) extracted from treated oil palm leaves ash (TOPLA) was coated over Fe3O4 (SiO2–Fe3O4) before surface modification using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AP–SiO2–Fe3O4). The AP–SiO2–Fe3O4 was further modified with glutaraldehyde for the chemical immobilisation of Candida rugosa lipase (CRL) on the surface of G–AP–SiO2–Fe3O4 (CRL/G–AP–SiO2–Fe3O4). Surface analytical techniques (FTIR, TGA, and XRD) that monitored the successive processes to prepare the CRL/G–AP–SiO2–Fe3O4 biocatalyst affirmed that CRL (14.7 mg/g, 183 U/g activity) was present on the support. Under an optimized condition, CRL/G–AP–SiO2–Fe3O4 (40 °C, pH 8.0 at 200 rpm) and free CRL (35 °C, pH 7.0, 200 rpm) hydrolysed 98.5% olive oil at fixed 2.5:1 olive oil: water ratio, enzyme load 1.0 mg/mL, signifying retention of lipase activity after immobilisation. Despite the lower Vmax (833.3 μmol/mL min), CRL/G–AP–SiO2–Fe3O4 (Km 0.583 g/mL) showed a 12-fold higher affinity for the substrate over free CRL (Km 6.00 g/mL, Vmax 3330 μmol/mL min). Thermodynamic data also corroborated the increased thermal stability of CRL/G–AP–SiO2–Fe3O4 (t1/2 38.94 min, D value 129.4 min, ΔHd∘ 110.10–110.27 kJ/mol, ΔSd∘ 292.3–293.2 kJ/mol) over free CRL (t1/2 23.89 min, D value 79.67, ΔHd∘ 87.55–87.72 kJ/mol, and ΔSd∘ 233.5–233.7 kJ/mol)

Gelled Graphene Oxide-Ionic Liquid Composite Membranes with Enriched Ionic Liquid Surfaces for Improved CO2 Separation

Blends containing ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methyimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [emim][BF4] gelled with Pebax 1657 block copolymers were modified by adding graphene oxide (GO) and fabricated in the form of thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. Their carbon dioxide (CO2) separation performance was evaluated using CO2 and N-2 gas permeation and low-pressure adsorption measurements, and the morphology of films was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Upon small addition of GO into the IL-dominated environment, the interaction between IL and GO facilitated the migration of IL to the surface while suppressing the interaction between IL and Pebax, which was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Amplified migration of IL to the surface and better dispersion of GO stacks were further achieved under alkaline conditions. With the enriched IL on the surface, the gas permeation through the films at 0.5 wt GO and approximately 80 wt % IL loading reached 1000 GPU for CO2 with their CO2/N-2 selectivity (up to 44) approaching that of pure IL

New generation high performance composite hollow fiber membranes for low cost CO2 capture

Research and development of membrane materials could achieve high separation performance and provide an alternative technology for CO2 capture in natural gas sweetening, carbon capture from power plants and biogas applications. While syntheses of new materials are necessary, utilizing currently available commodity materials through incorporation of high performance novel materials for most efficient transport process could substantially improve the technology deployment process. This paper presents our recent development in this aspect through mixed matrix membranes using block copolymer material Pebax, incorporating metal organic frame nano-fillers such as ZIF-8 and UiO-66 and its derivatives for the development of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) and strategically formed thin layers of these MMMs in composite hollow fibers membrane. Not only did those membranes achieve much higher CO2 permeance of more than 350 GPU, while maintaining or improving selectivity, the nano composite hollow fibers also demonstrated much improved performance sustainability such as improved plasticization resistance. On the other hand, composite hollow fibers developed with Pebax gelled ionic liquid membranes demonstrated even better separation performance with mixed gas feed containing water vapor and trace Nox, with promising application for flue gas carbon capture

Gelled Graphene Oxide–Ionic Liquid Composite Membranes with Enriched Ionic Liquid Surfaces for Improved CO₂ Separation

Blends containing ionic liquid (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methyimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [emim]­[BF₄] gelled with Pebax 1657 block copolymers were modified by adding graphene oxide (GO) and fabricated in the form of thin film composite hollow fiber membranes. Their carbon dioxide (CO₂) separation performance was evaluated using CO₂ and N₂ gas permeation and low-pressure adsorption measurements, and the morphology of films was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Upon small addition of GO into the IL-dominated environment, the interaction between IL and GO facilitated the migration of IL to the surface while suppressing the interaction between IL and Pebax, which was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Amplified migration of IL to the surface and better dispersion of GO stacks were further achieved under alkaline conditions. With the enriched IL on the surface, the gas permeation through the films at 0.5 wt % GO and approximately 80 wt % IL loading reached 1000 GPU for CO₂ with their CO₂/N₂ selectivity (up to 44) approaching that of pure IL