Dual functionality anti-reflection and biocidal coatings

A thin film combination of anti-reflection (AR) and biocidal properties would be of particular interest to reduce the transfer of infection and improve readability of public high use touch screens. In this paper we describe the development of a dual functionality film of silica (AR) and copper oxide (biocidal). Deposition was via flame assisted chemical vapour deposition (FACVD) which has the advantages of being a cost efficient atmospheric pressure technique enabling use of non-volatile precursors and that no closed reaction cell is required so making it ideal for integration into industrial production lines. The resulting films were characterized by a range of techniques including optical spectroscopy, electron microscope and X-ray fluorescence. Biocidal behavior was tested by determining the kill rate of Escherichia coli. A 3 layer stack on glass of silica/copper oxide/silica had better adhesion and lower reflection than a comparable 2 layer stack. This multilayer film led to a > 2% drop in reflection from that of uncoated glass, similar to that of silica only film. In addition, showed a > 6 log10 kill between 6 and 24 h for as deposited and annealed samples

The clinical usefulness of initial serum procalcitonin as an aggravation predictor in a hepatobiliary tract infection at emergency department

Background and Objectives: The ability to predict future clinical deterioration early in patients who present to an emergency care center with a hepatobiliary tract infection is difficult. We studied the clinical usefulness of the initial serum levels of procalcitonin in a hepatobiliary tract infection as an indicator for predicting aggravation in the early stages.Methods: Of the patients who presented with the clinical symptoms of a hepatobiliary tract infection, 99 were diagnosed with a hepatobiliary tract infection by imaging studies and subsequently enrolled in the study. Laboratory tests were obtained in the early stage of disease after presentation to an emergency care center. We assessed and compared the serum levels of many early inflammatory markers (white blood cell [WBC] counts, C‑reactive protein and procalcitonin) between patients whose symptoms were initially stable upon arrival to an emergency care center but then deteriorated to, those whose symptoms remained consistently stable. Thus, we examined if the above serum markers are useful in predicting the possibility of future symptom aggravation.Results: Of a total of 99 patients, 27 were assigned to the symptom aggravation group. The serum levels of WBC counts and C‑reactive protein in the aggravation group were elevated. However, the median value (interquartile range) of procalcitonin was relatively increased at 2.28 (0.41–7.84 ng/ml), demonstrating a significant difference.Conclusions: In conclusion, initial serum levels of procalcitonin might be used as an indicator for aggravation in patients with hepatobiliary tract infection at the emergency department, even though there is hemodynamic stability.Key words: Hepatobiliary tract, infection, procalcitoni

Corticosteroid-induced remission and mycophenolate maintenance therapy in granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease: long-term, longitudinal change in lung function in a single-centre cohort

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the response in lung function to different treatment regimens for common variable immunodeficiency patients with granulomatous lymphocytic interstitial lung disease (GLILD). METHOD: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study was carried out. Patients were divided into three groups. To assess the response to different treatments, we compared baseline lung function with post-treatment tests. RESULTS: 14 patients with GLILD were included, seven of whom were treated with acute corticosteroids for a mean duration of 132±65 days. Spirometry results were unchanged, but there was a significant improvement in diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO)% and transfer coefficient of the lung for carbon monoxide (KCO)% (median change in DLCO%=7%, p=0.04, and KCO%=13%, p=0.02). Relapse occurred in three out of seven patients. Five patients were treated with long-term mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) with/without corticosteroids for a mean duration of 1277±917 days. No changes were found in spirometry; however, there was a significant increase in DLCO% and KCO% (median change in each of DLCO% and KCO%=10%, p=0.04). Four patients on steroids with MMF successfully weaned the prednisone dose over 12 months. Four patients never received immunosuppression therapy. A significant decline was found in their lung function assessed over 7.5 years. The median reduction in the forced vital capacity (FVC)%, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)% and DLCO% was 15%, 7% and 15%, equivalent to 2%, 1% and 2% per year, respectively. CONCLUSION: Corticosteroids improve gas transfer in GLILD, but patients often relapse. The use of MMF was associated with long-term effectiveness in GLILD and permits weaning of corticosteroids. A delay in initiating and continuing maintenance treatment could lead to disease progression

The effect of ex-vivo rotenone intoxication on dopamine re-uptake of LRRK2-R1441G mutant mouse

Poster presentationpublished_or_final_versio

Tin(iv) dopant removal through anti-solvent engineering enabling tin based perovskite solar cells with high charge carrier mobilities

We report the need for careful selection of anti-solvents for Sn-based perovskite solar cells fabricated through the commonly used anti-solvent method, compared to their Pb-based counterparts.</p

Inflammasome and IL-1β-Mediated Disorders

The NLRP3 inflammasome is an intracellular complex that regulates the release of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β in response to exogenous pathogens and endogenous danger signals. Evidence from studies involving human genetics, human ex vivo mononuclear cell responses, and in vivo and in vitro murine models confirms the importance of the inflammasome and interleukin-1β in the pathogenesis of several inherited and complex diseases. The availability of several effective interleukin-1β targeted therapies has allowed for successful proof-of-concept studies in several of these disorders. However, many other diseases are likely to be mediated by the inflammasome and interleukin-1β, providing additional targets in the future

Inhibition of neuroinflammation in BV2 microglia by the biflavonoid kolaviron is dependent on the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant protective mechanism

Kolaviron is a mixture of bioflavonoids found in the nut of the West African edible seed Garcinia kola, and it has been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of kolaviron in neuroinflammation. The effects of kolaviron on the expression of nitric oxide/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)/cyclooxygenase-2, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines were examined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Molecular mechanisms of the effects of kolaviron on NF-B and Nrf2/ARE signalling pathways were analysed by immunoblotting, binding assay, and reporter assay. RNA interference was used to investigate the role of Nrf2 in the anti-inflammatory effect of kolaviron. Neuroprotective effect of kolaviron was assessed in a BV2 microglia/HT22 hippocampal neuron co-culture. Kolaviron inhibited the protein levels of NO/iNOS, PGE2/COX-2, cellular ROS and the proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-6) in LPS-stimulated microglia. Further mechanistic studies showed that kolaviron inhibited neuroinflammation by inhibiting IB/NF-B signalling pathway in LPS-activated BV2 microglia. Kolaviron produced antioxidant effect in BV2 microglia by increasing HO-1 via the Nrf2/ antioxidant response element (ARE) pathway. RNAi experiments revealed that Nrf2 is need for the anti-inflammatory effect of kolaviron. Kolaviron protected HT22 neurons from neuroinflammation-induced toxicity. Kolaviron inhibits neuroinflammation through Nrf2-dependent mechanisms. This compound may therefore be beneficial in neuroinflammation-related neurodegenerative disorders

Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome: An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment Response

Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is a rare hereditary inflammatory disorder encompassing a continuum of three phenotypes: familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome, and neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease. Distinguishing features include cutaneous, neurological, ophthalmologic, and rheumatologic manifestations. CAPS results from a gain-of-function mutation of the NLRP3 gene coding for cryopyrin, which forms intracellular protein complexes known as inflammasomes. Defects of the inflammasomes lead to overproduction of interleukin-1, resulting in inflammatory symptoms seen in CAPS. Diagnosis is often delayed and requires a thorough review of clinical symptoms. Remarkable advances in our understanding of the genetics and the molecular pathway that is responsible for the clinical phenotype of CAPS has led to the development of effective treatments. It also has become clear that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays a critical role in innate immune defense and therefore has wider implications for other inflammatory disease states

Criminal and Noncriminal Psychopathy: The Devil is in the Detail

Brooks, NS ORCiD: 0000-0003-1784-099XPsychopathy is prevalent and problematic in criminal populations, but is also found to be present in noncriminal populations. In 1992, Robert Hare declared that psychopaths may also “be found in the boardroom”, which has since been followed by an interest in the issue of noncriminal, or even successful, psychopathy. In this chapter, the paradox of criminal and noncriminal psychopathy is discussed with specific attention given to the similarities and differences that account for psychopathic personality across contexts. That psychopathy is a condition typified by a constellation of traits and behaviours requires wider research across diverse populations, and thus the streams of research related to criminal and noncriminal psychopathy are presented and the implications of these contrasting streams are explored

Globular-shaped variable lymphocyte receptors B antibody multimerized by a hydrophobic clustering in hagfish

In hagfish and lampreys, two representative jawless vertebrates, the humoral immunity is directly mediated by variable lymphocyte receptors B (VLRBs). Both monomeric VLRBs are structurally and functionally similar, but their C-terminal tails differ: lamprey VLRB has a Cys-rich tail that forms disulfide-linked pentamers of dimers, contributing to its multivalency, whereas hagfish VLRB has a superhydrophobic tail of unknown structure. Here, we reveal that VLRBs obtained from hagfish plasma have a globular-shaped multimerized form (approximately 0.6 to 1.7 MDa) that is generated by hydrophobic clustering instead of covalent linkage. Electron microscopy (EM) and single-particle analysis showed that the multimerized VLRBs form globular-shaped clusters with an average diameter of 28.7 ± 2.2 nm. The presence of VLRBs in the complex was confirmed by immune-EM analysis using an anti-VLRB antibody. Furthermore, the hydrophobic hagfish C-terminus (HC) was capable of triggering multimerization and directing the cellular surface localization via a glycophosphatidylinositol linkage. Our results strongly suggest that the hagfish VLRB forms a previously unknown globular-shaped antibody. This novel identification of a structurally unusual VLRB complex may suggest that the adaptive immune system of hagfish differs from that of lamprey