Cell detection by surface imprinted polymers SIPs:A study to unravel the recognition mechanisms

Previous studies have shown that selective synthetic cell receptors can be produced by cell imprinting on polymer layers. However, knowledge on the fundamental detection mechanisms remains limited. In this article, while using yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as model cells, the factors influencing cellular recognition by surface-imprinted polymers (SIPs) are studied by means of spectroscopic and microscopy techniques and a transducer platform based on interfacial thermal transport, the so-called heat-transfer method (HTM). These analyses indicate that cell imprinting creates selective binding sites on the surface of the SIP layer in the form of binding cavities that match the cells in shape and size. Also, we show that phospholipid moieties are incorporated into the SIP cavities during imprinting, while membrane proteins do not seem to be transferred. More importantly, we demonstrate that the incorporated phospholipids significantly enhance cell adhesion to the SIP, and thus play a significant role in the cell-SIP binding mechanism. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity of the SIP layer was found to be considerably higher when compared with a non-imprinted polymer layer (NIP), an effect that could not be attributed to the presence of cavities on the surface of the SIP layer. Therefore, we suggest that the role of phospholipids in the SIP recognition mechanism is mediated by long range hydrophobic forces. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p

Chromosomal in situ suppression hybridization of immunologically classified mitotic cells in hematologic malignancies

Chromosomal in situ suppression (CISS) hybridization was performed with library DNA from sorted human chromosomes 8, 9, 15, 17, 21, and 22 on immunologically stained bone marrow cells of four patients with a hematologic neoplasm, including two patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and trisomy 8, one patient with promyelocytic leukemia bearing the translocation t(15;17)(q22;q11-12), and one patient with chronic myeloid leukemia and the translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11). In all patients, the results of conventional karyotype analysis could be confirmed by one- or two-color CISS hybridization using the appropriate chromosome-specific libraries. Our results show that CISS hybridization can detect both numerical and structural chromosome changes in immunologically classified cells with high specificity and reliability. The fact that chromosome spreads of very poor quality can now be included in such analyses is a decisive advantage of this approach. In addition, the suitability of this approach for interphase cytogenetics is discussed

La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Departamento del Caquetá.

El presente documento aborda una de las problemáticas colombianas que ha conllevado al desequilibrio político, social, económico y familiar del país, y es, el conflicto armado interno de Colombia, el cual ha encerrado y victimizado a todo tipo de población, edades, y géneros. La complejidad de la situación y las graves consecuencias en las victimas de este fenómeno, ha conllevado a llamar la atención y a la integración de diferentes instituciones y profesionales del ámbito social. Las diferentes estrategias para la reconstrucción del tejido social, son esenciales para la reparación emocional, social, económica y familiar de cada una de las víctimas, de tal manera, que el objetivo primordial es rescatar a las personas de los sentimientos de miedo, frustración, tristeza, etc., e incentivar a enfocarse en un futuro próspero olvidando aquel pasado. Ante estas situaciones, es importante conocer historias como las de la señora Ana Ligia y como el caso de los pobladores de Cacarica, los cuales representan vivencias reales del conflicto armado de nuestro país, pero que así mismo, en ellas se encuentran ejemplos de superación y motivación. En el presente trabajo los puntos específicos como lo son las preguntas formuladas son punto estratégico de argumentación, para dar a conocer las diferentes opiniones que se tienen acerca de la guerra que se ha vivido y se vive actualmente, reflexionando desde la investigación y apoyo psicológico requerido, el objetivo de este valioso trabajo es conocer el trabajo del psicólogo frente a estos temas implementando estrategias de superación, generando reflexiones que demuestren el trabajo del acampamiento psicosocial frente al conflicto bien sea en grupo o individual, la importancia el mismo está radicada en el fortalecimiento y acompañamiento significativo en la superación de condiciones de la víctima, pretendiendo quitar episodios de violencia e injusticia, Los resultados del presente trabajo enseñan una situación sobre las principales posiciones reconocidas en los campos de intervención psicosocial para víctimas del conflicto armado producido en Colombia. El desempeño psicológico frente a estas crisis de desplazamientos forzados, violación sexual y entre otras arbitrariedades a los derechos del ser humano y crímenes que ha causado la guerra ha ocasionado secuelas. Palabras claves: Afrontamiento, Conflicto armado, Desplazamiento, Emergentes psicosociales, Estrategias, Emancipación discursiva, Victimas.This document addresses one of the Colombian problems that has led to the countrys political, social, economic and family imbalance, and is, the internal armed conflict in Colombia, which has locked up and victimized all types of population, ages, and gender . The complexity of the situation and the serious consequences in the victims of this phenomenon, has led to the attention and integration of different institutions and professionals in the social field. The different strategies for the reconstruction of the social fabric, are essential for the emotional, social, economic and family reparation of each of the victims, in such a way that the primary objective is to rescue people from feelings of fear, frustration, sadness, etc., and encourage focus on a prosperous future forgetting that past. Given these situations, it is important to know stories such as those of Mrs. Ana Ligia and as the case of the inhabitants of Cacarica, which represent real experiences of the armed conflict in our country, but also, there are examples of overcoming and motivation. In the present work, the specific points such as the questions asked are strategic point of argument, to make known the different opinions that have about the war that has been lived and is currently lived, reflecting from the research and psychological support required , the objective of this valuable work is to know the work of the psychologist in dealing with these issues by implementing strategies of overcoming, generating reflections that demonstrate the work of psychosocial camping in the face of the conflict, whether in a group or individual, the importance is based on strengthening and significant support in overcoming the conditions of the victim, trying to remove episodes of violence and injustice, The results of this work teach a situation about the main positions recognized in the fields of psychosocial intervention for victims of the armed conflict produced in Colombia. The psychological performance in the face of these crises of forced displacement, sexual rape and among other arbitrariness of human rights and crimes caused by the war has caused consequences. Keywords: Coping, Armed Conflict, Displacement, Emerging Psychosocial, Strategies, Discursive Emancipation, Victims

SLUG/SNAI2 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Generate Breast Cells With CD44+/CD24- Phenotype

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breast cancer cells with CD44+/CD24- cell surface marker expression profile are proposed as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Normal breast epithelial cells that are CD44+/CD24- express higher levels of stem/progenitor cell associated genes. We, amongst others, have shown that cancer cells that have undergone epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) display the CD44+/CD24- phenotype. However, whether all genes that induce EMT confer the CD44+/CD24- phenotype is unknown. We hypothesized that only a subset of genes associated with EMT generates CD44+/CD24- cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>MCF-10A breast epithelial cells, a subpopulation of which spontaneously acquire the CD44+/CD24- phenotype, were used to identify genes that are differentially expressed in CD44+/CD24- and CD44-/CD24+ cells. Ingenuity pathway analysis was performed to identify signaling networks that linked differentially expressed genes. Two EMT-associated genes elevated in CD44+/CD24- cells, SLUG and Gli-2, were overexpressed in the CD44-/CD24+ subpopulation of MCF-10A cells and MCF-7 cells, which are CD44-/CD24+. Flow cytometry and mammosphere assays were used to assess cell surface markers and stem cell-like properties, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Two thousand thirty five genes were differentially expressed (p < 0.001, fold change ≥ 2) between the CD44+/CD24- and CD44-/CD24+ subpopulations of MCF-10A. Thirty-two EMT-associated genes including SLUG, Gli-2, ZEB-1, and ZEB-2 were expressed at higher levels in CD44+/CD24- cells. These EMT-associated genes participate in signaling networks comprising TGFβ, NF-κB, and human chorionic gonadotropin. Treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which induces NF-κB and represses E-cadherin, or overexpression of SLUG in CD44-/CD24+ MCF-10A cells, gave rise to a subpopulation of CD44+/CD24- cells. Overexpression of constitutively active p65 subunit of NF-κB in MCF-10A resulted in a dramatic shift to the CD44+/CD24+ phenotype. SLUG overexpression in MCF-7 cells generated CD44+/CD24+ cells with enhanced mammosphere forming ability. In contrast, Gli-2 failed to alter CD44 and CD24 expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>EMT-mediated generation of CD44+/CD24- or CD44+/CD24+ cells depends on the genes that induce or are associated with EMT. Our studies reveal a role for TNF in altering the phenotype of breast CSC. Additionally, the CD44+/CD24+ phenotype, in the context of SLUG overexpression, can be associated with breast CSC "stemness" behavior based on mammosphere forming ability.</p

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

Spatiotemporal Characteristics of the Largest HIV-1 CRF02_AG Outbreak in Spain: Evidence for Onward Transmissions

Background and Aim: The circulating recombinant form 02_AG (CRF02_AG) is the predominant clade among the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) non-Bs with a prevalence of 5.97% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.41–6.57%) across Spain. Our aim was to estimate the levels of regional clustering for CRF02_AG and the spatiotemporal characteristics of the largest CRF02_AG subepidemic in Spain.Methods: We studied 396 CRF02_AG sequences obtained from HIV-1 diagnosed patients during 2000–2014 from 10 autonomous communities of Spain. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the 391 CRF02_AG sequences along with all globally sampled CRF02_AG sequences (N = 3,302) as references. Phylodynamic and phylogeographic analysis was performed to the largest CRF02_AG monophyletic cluster by a Bayesian method in BEAST v1.8.0 and by reconstructing ancestral states using the criterion of parsimony in Mesquite v3.4, respectively.Results: The HIV-1 CRF02_AG prevalence differed across Spanish autonomous communities we sampled from (p &lt; 0.001). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 52.7% of the CRF02_AG sequences formed 56 monophyletic clusters, with a range of 2–79 sequences. The CRF02_AG regional dispersal differed across Spain (p = 0.003), as suggested by monophyletic clustering. For the largest monophyletic cluster (subepidemic) (N = 79), 49.4% of the clustered sequences originated from Madrid, while most sequences (51.9%) had been obtained from men having sex with men (MSM). Molecular clock analysis suggested that the origin (tMRCA) of the CRF02_AG subepidemic was in 2002 (median estimate; 95% Highest Posterior Density-HPD interval: 1999–2004). Additionally, we found significant clustering within the CRF02_AG subepidemic according to the ethnic origin.Conclusion: CRF02_AG has been introduced as a result of multiple introductions in Spain, following regional dispersal in several cases. We showed that CRF02_AG transmissions were mostly due to regional dispersal in Spain. The hot-spot for the largest CRF02_AG regional subepidemic in Spain was in Madrid associated with MSM transmission risk group. The existence of subepidemics suggest that several spillovers occurred from Madrid to other areas. CRF02_AG sequences from Hispanics were clustered in a separate subclade suggesting no linkage between the local and Hispanic subepidemics