A Fluctuation Equation of State for Prediction of High-Pressure Densities of Ionic Liquids

International audienceDuring this work, we demonstrate, for the first time, that the volumetric properties of pure ionic liquids could be truly predicted as a function of temperature from 219 K to 473 K and pressure up to 300 MPa. This has been achieved by using only density and isothermal compressibility data at atmospheric pressure through the Fluctuation Theory-based Tait-like Equation of State (FT-EoS). The experimental density data of 80 different ionic liquids, described in the literature by several research groups as a function of temperature and pressure, was then used to provide comparisons. Excellent predictive capability of FT-EoS was observed with an overall relative absolute average deviation close to 0.14% for the 15,298 data points examined during this work

Localization of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit transcripts in ovarian cancer tissue.

Recent studies demonstrated that besides placenta and malignant trophoblastic tumors, hCG and especially its beta-subunit is secreted by a varieties of tumors of different origin. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the expression pattern of human chorionic gonadotropin gene in ovarian cancer tissue. The study included 8 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The expression and distribution of hCGbeta mRNA was assessed by in situ RT-PCR method. The semi-quantitative assessment was performed using computer image analysis. Transformation of the images into the pseudocolour scale showed a clear difference in fluorescence intensity among individual cancer cells. The intensity of ISRT-PCR products corresponding with expression level of hCGbeta demonstrated that its production by individual cancer cells is different. In all studied specimens of the ovarian carcinoma tissue, cancer cells characterized by the presence of active hCGbeta gene were found, whereas noncancerous tissue demonstrated lack of the gene expression. Thus, the study clearly shows that the expression of hCGbeta is the feature of ovarian cancer tissue

Insights into interfacial activation from an open structure of Candida rugosa lipase.

The structure of the Candida rugosa lipase determined at 2.06-A resolution reveals a conformation with a solvent-accessible active site. Comparison with the crystal structure of the homologous lipase from Geotrichum candidum, in which the active site is covered by surface loops and is inaccessible from the solvent, shows that the largest structural differences occur in the vicinity of the active site. Three loops in this region differ significantly in conformation, and the interfacial activation of these lipases is likely to be associated with conformational rearrangements of these loops. The "open" structure provides a new image of the substrate binding region and active site access, which is different from that inferred from the structure of the "closed" form of the G. candidum lipase

Reduction of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit expression by modified U1 snRNA caused apoptosis in cervical cancer cells

BACKGROUND: Secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin, especially its beta subunit by malignant trophoblastic tumors and varieties of tumors of different origin is now well documented; however the role of hCG in tumorogenesis is still unknown. RESULTS: This study documents the molecular presence of human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit in uterine cervix cancer tissues and investigates a novel technique to reduce hCGbeta levels based on expression of a modified U1 snRNA as a method to study the hormone's role in biology of human cervical cancer cells cultured in vitro. The property of U1 snRNA to block the accumulation of specific RNA transcript when it binds to its donor sequence within the 3' terminal exon was used. The first 10 nucleotides of the human U1 snRNA gene, which normally binds to the 5'ss in pre-mRNA were replaced by a sequence complementary to a 10-nt segment in the terminal exon of the hCGbeta mRNA. Three different 5' end-mutated U1 snRNA expression plasmids were tested, each targeting a different sequence in the hCGbeta mRNA, and we found each one blocked the expression of hCGbeta in HeLa cells, a cervix carcinoma cell line, as shown by immunohistochemistry and qRT-PCR. Reduction of hCGbeta levels resulted in a significantly increased apoptosis rate with almost 90% of cells transfected with modified anti-hCGbeta U1 snRNAs showing morphological changes characteristic of the apoptotic process. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit may act as a tumor growth-stimulating factor

Six-minute walk distance after coronary artery bypass grafting compared with medical therapy in ischaemic cardiomyopathy

Background: In patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) may decrease mortality, but it is not known whether CABG improves functional capacity. Objective: To determine whether CABG compared with medical therapy alone (MED) increases 6 min walk distance in patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction and coronary artery disease amenable to revascularisation. Methods: The Surgical Treatment in Ischemic Heart disease trial randomised 1212 patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction to CABG or MED. A 6 min walk distance test was performed both at baseline and at least one follow-up assessment at 4, 12, 24 and/or 36 months in 409 patients randomised to CABG and 466 to MED. Change in 6 min walk distance between baseline and follow-up were compared by treatment allocation. Results: 6 min walk distance at baseline for CABG was mean 340±117 m and for MED 339±118 m. Change in walk distance from baseline was similar for CABG and MED groups at 4 months (mean +38 vs +28 m), 12 months (+47 vs +36 m), 24 months (+31 vs +34 m) and 36 months (−7 vs +7 m), P>0.10 for all. Change in walk distance between CABG and MED groups over all assessments was also similar after adjusting for covariates and imputation for missing values (+8 m, 95% CI −7 to 23 m, P=0.29). Results were consistent for subgroups defined by angina, New York Heart Association class ≥3, left ventricular ejection fraction, baseline walk distance and geographic region. Conclusion: In patients with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction CABG compared with MED alone is known to reduce mortality but is unlikely to result in a clinically significant improvement in functional capacity

Cutting-edge advances in modeling the blood–brain barrier and tools for its reversible permeabilization for enhanced drug delivery into the brain

The bloodâ brain barrier (BBB) is a sophisticated structure whose full functionality is required for maintaining the executive functions of the central nervous system (CNS). Tight control of transport across the barrier means that most drugs, particularly large size, which includes powerful biologicals, cannot reach their targets in the brain. Notwithstanding the remarkable advances in characterizing the cellular nature of the BBB and consequences of BBB dysfunction in pathology (brain metastasis, neurological diseases), it remains challenging to deliver drugs to the CNS. Herein, we outline the basic architecture and key molecular constituents of the BBB. In addition, we review the current status of approaches that are being explored to temporarily open the BBB in order to allow accumulation of therapeutics in the CNS. Undoubtedly, the major concern in field is whether it is possible to open the BBB in a meaningful way without causing negative consequences. In this context, we have also listed few other important key considerations that can improve our understanding about the dynamics of the BBB.The authors, DCF, RLR and JMO, would like to thank the funds under the project 2IQBIONEURO (reference: 0624_2IQBIONEURO_6_E) co-funded by INTERREG (Atlantic (Atlantic program or 622 V-A Spain-Portugal) and European fund for Regional Development (FEDER).Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL

Capturing health and eating status through a nutritional perception screening questionnaire (NPSQ9) in a randomised internet-based personalised nutrition intervention : the Food4Me study

BACKGROUND: National guidelines emphasize healthy eating to promote wellbeing and prevention of non-communicable diseases. The perceived healthiness of food is determined by many factors affecting food intake. A positive perception of healthy eating has been shown to be associated with greater diet quality. Internet-based methodologies allow contact with large populations. Our present study aims to design and evaluate a short nutritional perception questionnaire, to be used as a screening tool for assessing nutritional status, and to predict an optimal level of personalisation in nutritional advice delivered via the Internet. METHODS: Data from all participants who were screened and then enrolled into the Food4Me proof-of-principle study (n = 2369) were used to determine the optimal items for inclusion in a novel screening tool, the Nutritional Perception Screening Questionnaire-9 (NPSQ9). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed on anthropometric and biochemical data and on dietary indices acquired from participants who had completed the Food4Me dietary intervention (n = 1153). Baseline and intervention data were analysed using linear regression and linear mixed regression, respectively. RESULTS: A final model with 9 NPSQ items was validated against the dietary intervention data. NPSQ9 scores were inversely associated with BMI (β = -0.181, p < 0.001) and waist circumference (Β = -0.155, p < 0.001), and positively associated with total carotenoids (β = 0.198, p < 0.001), omega-3 fatty acid index (β = 0.155, p < 0.001), Healthy Eating Index (HEI) (β = 0.299, p < 0.001) and Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) (β = 0. 279, p < 0.001). Findings from the longitudinal intervention study showed a greater reduction in BMI and improved dietary indices among participants with lower NPSQ9 scores. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy eating perceptions and dietary habits captured by the NPSQ9 score, based on nine questionnaire items, were associated with reduced body weight and improved diet quality. Likewise, participants with a lower score achieved greater health improvements than those with higher scores, in response to personalised advice, suggesting that NPSQ9 may be used for early evaluation of nutritional status and to tailor nutritional advice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01530139 .Peer reviewedFinal Published versio