On-Chip Detection of Gel Transition Temperature using a Novel Micro-Thermomechanical Method

We present a new thermomechanical method and a platform to measure the phase transition temperature at microscale. A thin film metal sensor on a membrane simultaneously measures both temperature and mechanical strain of the sample during heating and cooling cycles. This thermomechanical principle of operation is described in detail. Physical hydrogel samples are prepared as a disc-shaped gels (200 μm thick and 1 mm diameter) and placed between an on-chip heater and sensor devices. The sol-gel transition temperature of gelatin solution at various concentrations, used as a model physical hydrogel, shows less than 3% deviation from in-depth rheological results. The developed thermomechanical methodology is promising for precise characterization of phase transition temperature of thermogels at microscale

Matrix Metalloproteinases and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Review of the Literature

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are progressive degenerative disorders that affect the components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), characterized by pain and limitations in function. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are enzymes involved in physiological breakdown of tissue that can have a pathological effect from an increase in activity during inflammation. A PubMed search of the current literature (within the past 10 years) was conducted to identify human studies involving matrix metalloproteinases activity in TMJ components of patients with TMD. Two separate searches results in 34 studies, six of which met inclusion criteria. Immunohistochemistry and gene analysis were used to evaluate MMP expression in the study groups. This review showed the strongest evidence for involvement of MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in TMD; however, limitations included low sample sizes and a lack of recent clinical studies. Future research with more definitive conclusions could allow for additional pharmaceutical targets in MMP when treating patients with temporomandibular disorders

Immunohistochemical Expression of TLR-4 in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Objective Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) is a transmembrane protein involved in the innate immune system and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). The purpose of this study was to histologically examine the level of expression of TLR-4 relative to severity of TMD. Methods Thirty-one human TMJ disc samples were immunostained for TLR-4 and evaluated for intensity of stain. Among the samples, 8 were control samples, 16 were from patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR), and 7 were from patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). Results There was no statistically significant difference in intensity of stain between groupings (p = 0.673). Conclusions The results indicate a negative correlation between TMD and the expression of TLR-4

Flood event impact on pesticide transfer in a small agricultural catchment (Moutousse at Aurade, south west France)

In this paper, pesticide transfer dynamic is studied during two flood events in a small experimental catchment close to Toulouse (south west France). Thirteen pesticide molecules (herbicides, fungicides) have been analysed by multi-residue technique on filtered and unfiltered waters. The results show very high pesticide concentrations in the different fractions compared to low flow periods and to the data collected by the French institutional networks in charge of the pesticide river water pollution survey. Several molecules present concentration higher than 0.1 mgL-1 and even higher than 1 mgL-1 in the unfiltered waters. In the suspended matters the concentrations vary respectively between 0.1 and 30 mg g-1 according to the molecules and can represent 40 to 90% of the total concentration for low soluble molecules. All the molecule concentrations and fluxes increase during the flood flows and have positive relationships with the stream discharge, but hysteresis between rising and falling periods can be observed for some molecules. Pesticide concentrations in unfiltered waters and partitioning between dissolved and particulate fractions (Kd¼[diss]/[part]) are controlled by dissolved organic carbon and total suspended matter. A good negative relationship can be established between logKd and logKow for 6 molecules

Thermohydrodynamic analysis for laminar lubricating films

A Galerkin-type analysis to include thermal effects in laminar lubricating films was performed. The lubricant properties were assumed constant except for a temperature-dependent Newtonian viscosity. The cross-film temperature profile is established by collocation at the film boundaries and two interior Lobatto points. The interior temperatures are determined by requiring that the zeroth and first moment of the energy equation be satisfied across the film. The fluidity is forced to conform to a third--degree polynomial appropriate to the Lobatto-point temperatures. Preliminary indications are that the use of just two such sampling points enables satisfactory prediction of bearing performance even in the presence of substantial viscosity variation

Upaya Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar IPA pada Materi Bumi dan Alam Semesta melalui Metode Pembelajaran Numbered Heads Together pada Siswa Kelas VI SD Inpres 45 Kabupaten Sorong Semester II

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah meningkatkan hasil belajar ipa pada materi bumi dan alam semesta melalui metode pembelajaran numbered heads together pada siswa kelas VI SD Inpres 45 Kabupaten Sorong semester II tahun pelajaran 2015/2016. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas yang dilakukan di kelas VI SD Inpres 45 Kabupaten Sorong. Hasil Penelitian diperoleh Rata-rata aspek kognitif pada siklus I pertemuan ke I adalah 60,21 point dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 29,20 % yang meningkat pada siklus I pertemuan ke II menjadi 62,29 dengan ketuntasan sebesar 45,83 %, kemudian pada siklus II pertemuan ke I meningkat menjadi 69,79 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 83,33% sedangkan pada pertemuan ke II menjadi 79,17 dengan ketuntasan klasikal sebesar 95,83%. Kesimpulan yang dapat diambil yaitu penggunaan pembelajaran NHT pada materi Bumi dan Alam Semesta dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar siswa kelas VI SD Inpres 45 Kabupaten Sorong tahun pelajaran 2015/2016 pada aspek kognitif maupun afektif pada siswa

Evaluation of Glycated Albumin (GA) and GA/Hba1c Ratio for Diagnosis of Diabetes and Glycemic Control: A Comprehensive Review

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic high blood glucose concentrations (hyperglycemia). When it is left untreated or improperly managed, it can lead to acute complications including diabetic ketoacidosis and non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma. In addition, possible long-term complications include impotence, nerve damage, stroke, chronic kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, foot ulcers, and retinopathy. Historically, universal methods to measure glycemic control for the diagnosis of diabetes included fasting plasma glucose level (FPG), 2-h plasma glucose (2HP), and random plasma glucose. However, these measurements did not provide information about glycemic control over a long period of time. To address this problem, there has been a switch in the past decade to diagnosing diabetes and its severity through measurement of blood glycated proteins such as Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and glycated albumin (GA). Diagnosis and evaluation of diabetes using glycated proteins has many advantages including high accuracy of glycemic control over a period of time. Currently, common laboratory methods used to measure glycated proteins are high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), immunoassay, and electrophoresis. HbA1c is one of the most important diagnostic factors for diabetes. However, some reports indicate that HbA1c is not a suitable marker to determine glycemic control in all diabetic patients. GA, which is not influenced by changes in the lifespan of erythrocytes, is thought to be a good alternative indicator of glycemic control in diabetic patients. Here, we review the literature that has investigated the suitability of HbA1c, GA and GA:HbA1c as indicators of long-term glycemic control and demonstrate the importance of selecting the appropriate glycated protein based on the patient’s health status in order to provide useful and modern point-of-care monitoring and treatment

Ultraviolet-induced Surface Grafting of Octafluoropentyl Methacrylate on Polyether Ether Ketone for Inducing Antibiofilm Properties

Since octafluoropentyl methacrylate is an antifouling polymer, surface modification of polyether ether ketone with octafluoropentyl methacrylate is a practical approach to obtaining anti-biofilm biocompatible devices. In the current study, the surface treatment of polyether ether ketone by the use of ultraviolet irradiation, so as to graft (octafluoropentyl methacrylate) polymer chains, was initially implemented and then investigated. The Fourier-transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra corroborated the appearance of new signals associated with the fluoroacrylate group. Thermogravimetric curves indicated enhanced asymmetry in the polymer structure due to the introduction of the said new groups. Measuring the peak area in differential scanning calorimetry experiments also showed additional bond formation. Static water contact angle measurements indicated a change in wettability to the more hydrophobic surface. The polyether ether ketone–octafluoropentyl methacrylate surface greatly reduced the protein adsorption. This efficient method can modulate and tune the surface properties of polyether ether ketone according to specific applications

Immunohistochemical Analysis of IL-1 Receptor 1 In the Discs of Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Objective Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) may affect a patient’s quality of life, and one of the etiologies can be anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR) and anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWoR). Interleukin 1 Receptor 1 (IL-1R1) is a membrane receptor that plays an important role on initiating immune and inflammatory response by binding the agonists ligands of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate, through immunohistochemical analysis, the association of IL-1R1 with TMD. Methods Thirty-nine human disc samples were collected and composed three different groups: ADDwR (n = 19), ADDwoR (n = 12), and control group (n = 8). The samples were immunostained with IL-1R1 antibody and evaluated on both quantity and intensity of staining. Results There was a statistically significant difference (p \u3c 0.05) between the control and test groups for both quantity and intensity of staining. Conclusion IL1-R1 was associated with ADDwR and ADDwoR in TMD discs of humans