Combination of Integrin-Binding Peptide and Growth Factor Promotes Cell Adhesion on Electron-Beam-Fabricated Patterns

Understanding and controlling cell adhesion on engineered scaffolds is important in biomaterials and tissue engineering. In this report we used an electron-beam (e-beam) lithography technique to fabricate patterns of a cell adhesive integrin ligand combined with a growth factor. Specifically, micron-sized poly­(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels with aminooxy- and styrene sulfonate-functional groups were fabricated. Cell adhesion moieties were introduced using a ketone-functionalized arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) peptide to modify the <i>O</i>-hydroxylamines by oxime bond formation. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was immobilized by electrostatic interaction with the sulfonate groups. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) formed focal adhesion complexes on RGD- and RGD and bFGF-immobilized patterns as shown by immunostaining of vinculin and actin. In the presence of both bFGF and RGD, cell areas were larger. The data demonstrate confinement of cellular focal adhesions to chemically and physically well-controlled microenvironments created by a combination of e-beam lithography and “click” chemistry techniques. The results also suggest positive implications for addition of growth factors into adhesive patterns for cell-material interactions

Reasons for non-vaccination in the individuals reportedly not vaccinated during Phase I (n = 70) and Phase II (n = 53) of the MenAfriVac introduction campaign, Niamey and Tillabéri, Niger, September–December 2010.

<p>Reasons for non-vaccination in the individuals reportedly not vaccinated during Phase I (n = 70) and Phase II (n = 53) of the MenAfriVac introduction campaign, Niamey and Tillabéri, Niger, September–December 2010.</p

Vaccination coverage results in persons aged 1–29 years for the second phase of the MenAfriVac introduction by administrative methods and Clustered Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (CLQAS) survey, Niamey and Tillabéri, Niger, December 2010.

<p>Vaccination coverage results in persons aged 1–29 years for the second phase of the MenAfriVac introduction by administrative methods and Clustered Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (CLQAS) survey, Niamey and Tillabéri, Niger, December 2010.</p

MenAfriVac vaccination coverage in persons aged 1–29 years for the two phases presented by administrative coverage and coverage survey results, Niger, October–December 2010.

<p>MenAfriVac vaccination coverage in persons aged 1–29 years for the two phases presented by administrative coverage and coverage survey results, Niger, October–December 2010.</p

Vaccination coverage results in persons aged 1–29 years for Phase I of the first phase of the MenAfriVac introduction campaign presented by administrative coverage and Lot Quality Assurance (LQA) analysis, Filingue, Niger, October 2010.

<p>Vaccination coverage results in persons aged 1–29 years for Phase I of the first phase of the MenAfriVac introduction campaign presented by administrative coverage and Lot Quality Assurance (LQA) analysis, Filingue, Niger, October 2010.</p

Additional file 1 of Standardized protocol of blood pressure measurement and quality control program for the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Additional file 1: Supplementary Table S1. Arm circumference and corresponding Ambidex cuff size for Greenlight. Supplementary Figure S1. Description of Greenlight. Supplementary Figure S2. Components of Greenlight. Supplementary Figure S3. Summary of BP measurement using Greenlight. Supplementary Figure S4. Manufacturer’s pressure accuracy test for Microlife (A), Greenlight (B), and MEC simulator (BP3BTO-T) in Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. Supplementary Figure S5. Pressure accuracy test for Microlife (A) and Greenlight (B) in weekly QC (Step 5). Supplementary Figure S6. Cuff leakage test for Microlife (A) and Greenlight (B) in weekly QC (Step 5). Supplementary Figure S7. Calibration of MEC simulator

Tropical Data: Approach and Methodology as Applied to Trachoma Prevalence Surveys

Population-based prevalence surveys are essential for decision-making on interventions to achieve trachoma elimination as a public health problem. This paper outlines the methodologies of Tropical Data, which supports work to undertake those surveys. Tropical Data is a consortium of partners that supports health ministries worldwide to conduct globally standardised prevalence surveys that conform to World Health Organization recommendations. Founding principles are health ministry ownership, partnership and collaboration, and quality assurance and quality control at every step of the survey process. Support covers survey planning, survey design, training, electronic data collection and fieldwork, and data management, analysis and dissemination. Methods are adapted to meet local context and needs. Customisations, operational research and integration of other diseases into routine trachoma surveys have also been supported. Between 29th February 2016 and 24th April 2023, 3373 trachoma surveys across 50 countries have been supported, resulting in 10,818,502 people being examined for trachoma. This health ministry-led, standardised approach, with support from the start to the end of the survey process, has helped all trachoma elimination stakeholders to know where interventions are needed, where interventions can be stopped, and when elimination as a public health problem has been achieved. Flexibility to meet specific country contexts, adaptation to changes in global guidance and adjustments in response to user feedback have facilitated innovation in evidence-based methodologies, and supported health ministries to strive for global disease control targets.</p