Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can providemultiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such asmagnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles’ surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality waterdispersible nanoparticles around 10 nmin size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications.status: publishe

Experiences and opinions of health-care professionals regarding legal abortion in Mexico City: A qualitative study

This study examines the experiences and opinions of health-care professionals after the legalization of abortion in Mexico City in 2007. Sixty-four semistructured interviews were conducted between 1 December 2007 and 16 July 2008 with staff affiliated with abortion programs in 12 hospitals and 1 health center, including obstetricians/gynecologists, nurses, social workers, key decisionmakers at the Ministry of Health, and others. Findings suggest that program implementation was difficult because of the lack of personnel, space, and resources; a great number of conscientious objectors; and the enormous influx of women seeking services, which resulted in a work overload for participating professionals. The professionals interviewed indicate that the program improved significantly over time. They generally agree that legal abortion should be offered, despite serious concerns about repeat abortions. They recommend improving family planning campaigns and post-procedure contraceptive use, and they encourage the opening of primary health-care facilities dedicated to providing abortion services

Biocidal effects of organometallic materials supported on ZSM-5 Zeolite: Influence of the physicochemical and surface properties

Antifouling coatings containing biocidal agents can be used to prevent the accumulation of biotic deposits on submerged surfaces; however, several commercial biocides can negatively affect the ecosystem. In this study, various formulations of a potential biocide product comprising copper nanoparticles and capsaicin supported on zeolite ZSM-5 were analyzed to determine the influence of the concentration of each component. The incorporation of copper was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Similarly, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that capsaicin was supported on the zeolite surface. The presence of capsaicin on the external zeolite surface significantly reduced the surface area of the zeolite. Finally, bacterial growth inhibition analysis showed that copper nanoparticles inhibited the growth of strains Idiomarina loihiensis UCO25, Pseudoalteromonas sp. UCO92, and Halomonas boliviensis UCO24 while the organic component acted as a reinforcing biocide

The Core Mass Function in the Orion Nebula Cluster Region: What Determines the Final Stellar Masses?

Applying dendrogram analysis to the CARMA-NRO (CO)-O-18 (J = 1-0) data having an angular resolution of similar to 8 '', we identified 692 dense cores in the Orion Nebula Cluster region. Using this core sample, we compare the core and initial stellar mass functions in the same area to quantify the step from cores to stars. About 22% of the identified cores are gravitationally bound. The derived core mass function (CMF) for starless cores has a slope similar to Salpeter's stellar initial mass function (IMF) for the mass range above 1 M, consistent with previous studies. Our CMF has a peak at a subsolar mass of similar to 0.1 M, which is comparable to the peak mass of the IMF derived in the same area. We also find that the current star formation rate is consistent with the picture in which stars are born only from self-gravitating starless cores. However, the cores must gain additional gas from the surroundings to reproduce the current IMF (e.g., its slope and peak mass), because the core mass cannot be accreted onto the star with 100% efficiency. Thus, the mass accretion from the surroundings may play a crucial role in determining the final stellar masses of stars

Improved measurement of B+->rho(+)rho(0) and determination of the quark-mixing phase angle alpha

We present improved measurements of the branching fraction B, the longitudinal polarization fraction f(L), and the direct CP asymmetry A(CP) in the B meson decay channel B+->rho(+)rho(0). The data sample was collected with the BABAR detector at SLAC. The results are B(B+->rho(+)rho(0))=(23.7 +/- 1.4 +/- 1.4)x10(-6), f(L)=0.950 +/- 0.015 +/- 0.006, and A(CP)=-0.054 +/- 0.055 +/- 0.010, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. Based on these results, we perform an isospin analysis and determine the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa phase angle alpha=arg(-VtdVtb*/VudVub*) to be (92.4(-6.5)(+6.0))degrees

Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics in Evaluation of LIXisenatide in Acute Coronary Syndrome, a long-term cardiovascular end point trial of lixisenatide versus placebo

Background: Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Furthermore, patients with T2DM and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have a particularly high risk of CV events. The glucagonlike peptide 1 receptor agonist, lixisenatide, improves glycemia, but its effects on CV events have not been thoroughly evaluated. Methods: ELIXA (www.clinicaltrials.gov no. NCT01147250) is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallelgroup, multicenter study of lixisenatide in patients with T2DM and a recent ACS event. The primary aim is to evaluate the effects of lixisenatide on CV morbidity and mortality in a population at high CV risk. The primary efficacy end point is a composite of time to CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. Data are systematically collected for safety outcomes, including hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and malignancy. Results: Enrollment began in July 2010 and ended in August 2013; 6,068 patients from 49 countries were randomized. Of these, 69% are men and 75% are white; at baseline, the mean ± SD age was 60.3 ± 9.7 years, body mass index was 30.2 ± 5.7 kg/m2, and duration of T2DM was 9.3±8.2 years. The qualifying ACS wasamyocardial infarctionin83% and unstableangina in 17%. The study will continue until the positive adjudication of the protocol-specified number of primary CV events. Conclusion: ELIXA will be the first trial to report the safety and efficacy of a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist in people with T2DM and high CV event risk. © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved