Development and Evaluation of a Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Test for the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Virus▿

We evaluated a new rapid influenza diagnostic test for the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza virus by using real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) and viral culture. The sensitivities were 68.5% and 64.5%, and the specificities were 98.4% and 97.6%, respectively. This kit should be used with caution, and negative results should be verified by a confirmative test

Detection of venous thrombosis in free flaps by measurement of capillary blood glucose

INTRODUÇÃO: A monitorização do retalho livre após a cirurgia é de vital importância, especialmente nas primeiras horas de pós-operatório, pois o momento de reabordagem pode ser o definidor entre o salvamento ou a perda do retalho. Até o momento, não existe trabalho na literatura estudando a decisão de abordagem do retalho baseada em medidas objetivas ou a comparação da glicemia entre retalhos que evoluíram bem com os que sofreram sofrimento vascular. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a validade da medida da glicemia capilar do retalho como método de monitorização de retalhos microcirúrgicos comparando com a avaliação clínica. MÉTODO: Foram estudados prospectivamente 16 pacientes portadores de retalhos livres, realizados de maio de 2012 a julho de 2012. A glicemia capilar foi avaliada por equipe formada por profissionais não envolvidos com a cirurgia realizada. A avaliação clínica do retalho foi realizada no pós-operatório imediato, na chegada à UTI, a cada 3 horas e sempre que necessário. RESULTADOS: Dos 16 pacientes, 5 (31,3%) apresentaram complicações nas primeiras 24 horas. Todas as complicações observadas foram trombose venosa. Foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante na glicemia capilar de portadores de retalhos que apresentaram trombose venosa em comparação àqueles que não tiveram a complicação, nas medidas realizadas 6 horas, 9 horas e 12 horas após a operação (P < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: A medida da glicemia capilar não foi superior à avaliação clínica por profissional experiente na detecção de trombose venosa de retalhos livres

Enhanced Performance of Ionomer Binder with Shorter Side-Chains, Higher Dispersibility, and Lower Equivalent Weight

Interaction between the ionomer binder and catalyst nanoparticles in catalyst ink is well known to play an important role in the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) because it determines the final micro-morphology of the catalyst layer. Herein, we investigated the 3M series of perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomer binders, which have higher polymeric main-chain mobilities, increased solubilities, shorter side-chains, and lower equivalent weights than the Nafion 1100 series of ionomers. The molecular mobility was determined by 19F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and the differences in the structure of the catalyst layer surfaces were identified using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and Hg intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The 3M binder with high dispersibility exhibits more developed and connected secondary pore catalyst layer structures and fewer clustered agglomerates; thus, it shows higher performance in a single cell, particularly under conditions of low relative humidity (RH). A comparative study of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) results of the 3M and Nafion series of ionomer binders is also included. These insights help us elucidate the reason for the difference in performance by different ionomers and provide the foundation for improving the fuel cell performance of Nafiontype ionomers.ª 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei

Mitochondrial chaperone HSP-60 HSP-60 up-regulates p38 MAP kinase signaling to enhance anti-bacterial immunity

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Mitochondrial chaperone HSP-60 enhances anti-bacterial immunity through up-regulating p38 MAP kinase signaling in C. elegans

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Mitochondrial chaperone HSP-60 regulates anti-bacterial immunity via p38 MAP kinase signaling

Mitochondria play key roles in cellular immunity. How mitochondria contribute to organismal immunity remains poorly understood. Here, we show that HSP-60/HSPD1, a major mitochondrial chaperone, boosts anti-bacterial immunity through the up-regulation of p38 MAP kinase signaling. We first identify 16 evolutionarily conserved mitochondrial components that affect the immunity of Caenorhabditis elegans against pathogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA14). Among them, the mitochondrial chaperone HSP-60 is necessary and sufficient to increase resistance to PA14. We show that HSP-60 in the intestine and neurons is crucial for the resistance to PA14. We then find that p38 MAP kinase signaling, an evolutionarily conserved anti-bacterial immune pathway, is down-regulated by genetic inhibition of hsp-60, and up-regulated by increased expression of hsp-60. Overexpression of HSPD1, the mammalian ortholog of hsp-60, increases p38 MAP kinase activity in human cells, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved mechanism. Further, cytosol-localized HSP-60 physically binds and stabilizes SEK-1/MAP kinase kinase 3, which in turn up-regulates p38 MAP kinase and increases immunity. Our study suggests that mitochondrial chaperones protect host eukaryotes from pathogenic bacteria by up-regulating cytosolic p38 MAPK signaling. ? 2017 The Authors119sciescopu