Working with public libraries to enhance access to quality-assured health information for the lay public: Healthinfo4u: British Library Co-operation and Partnership Programme no.6: final report

This study provides the results of a 22-month project to research whether web technology can be used to provide the lay public with quality-assured, evidence-based journal literature previously only available to health care professionals. The study documents the development of the demonstrator product and the results of its trial and evaluation, using action research methodologies, in selected public libraries and health information points in the UK. The literature review provides the context for the development of the provision of health information for the lay public and considers the issues surrounding the provision of e-journals. The study also provides an assessment of the potential requirements for a viable future web-based resource to provide consumers with the full text of quality-assured health information selected from journals used by health care professionals

Fragmentation characteristics of glycopeptides

Mass spectrometric analysis of glycopeptides is an emerging strategy for analysis of glycosylation patterns. Here we present an approach using energy resolved collision induced decomposition (CID) spectra to determine structural features of glycopeptides. Fragmentation of multiply protonated glycopeptides proceeds by a series of competing charge separation processes by cleavage of a glycosidic bond, each producing two charged products: a singly charged, “B” type sugar (oxonium) ion, and a complementary high mass fragment. Energy requirements (activation energies) of these processes are similar to each other, and are far less, than that required for peptide fragmentation. At higher collision energies these first generation products fragment further, yielding a complex fragmentation pattern. Analysis of low energy spectra (those corresponding to ca. 50% survival yield) are straightforward; the ions observed correspond to structural features present in the oligosaccharide, and are not complicated by consecutive reactions. This makes it feasible to identify and distinguish antenna- and core-fucosylated isomers; antenna fucosylation usually suggests presence of the Lewis-X antigen. In general, analysis of the triply protonated molecules are most advantageous, where neutral losses and monosaccharide oxonium ion formation are less abundant

Model mass spectrometric study of competitive interactions of antimicrobial bisquaternary ammonium drugs and aspirin with membrane phospholipids

The aim of the study is to reveal molecular mechanisms of possible activity modulation of antimicrobial bis-quaternary ammonium compounds (BQAC) and aspirin (ASP) through noncovalent competitive complexation under their combined introduction into the model systems with membrane phospholipids. Methods. Binary and triple systems containing either decamethoxinum or ethonium, or thionium and aspirin, as well as dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) have been investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Results. Basing on the analysis of associates recorded in the mass spectra, the types of nonocovalent complexes formed in the systems studied were determined and the supposed role of the complexation in the BQAC and ASP activity modulation was discussed. The formation of associates of BQAC dications with ASP anion is considered as one of the possible ways of deactivation of ionic forms of the medications. The formation of stable complexes of BQAC with DPPC and ASP with DPPC in binary systems as well as the complexes distribution in triple-components systems BQAC:ASP:DPPC point to the existence of competition between drugs of these two types for the binding to DPPC. Conclusions. The results obtained point to the competitive complexation in the model molecular systems containing the BQAC, aspirin and membrane phospholipids. The observed phenomenon testifies to the possibility of modulating the activity of bisquaternary antimicrobial agents and aspirin under their combined usage, due to the competition between the drugs for binding to the target membrane phospholipid molecules and also due to the formation of stable noncovalent complexes between BQAC and ASP.Мета. Вивчення молекулярних механізмів можливої модуляції активності антимікробних бісчетвертинних амонієвих сполук (БЧАС) та аспірину (АСП) внаслідок формування нековалентних комплексів під час спільного введення препаратів двох типів у модельні системи з мембранними фосфоліпідами. Методи. Дво- і трикомпонентні системи, які містять декаметоксин, етоній або тіоній, АСП і дипальмітоїлфосфатидилхолін (ДПФХ), досліджували методом мас-спектрометрії з іонізацією електроспреєм. Результати. Грунтуючись на даних аналізу асоціатів, зареєстрованих у мас-спектрах, встановлено типи нековалентних комплексів, які формуються у досліджуваних системах, та обговорено їхню можливу роль у модуляції активності БЧАС і АСП. Утворення асоціатів дикатіонів БЧАС з аніоном АСП є одним з імовірних шляхів дезактивації іонних форм препаратів. Формування стабільних комплексів БЧАС з ДПФХ та АСП з ДПФХ у двокомпонентних системах, а також розподіл комплексів у трикомпонентних системах БЧАС:АСП:ДПФХ вказують на існування конкуренції між препаратами двох типів за зв’язування з ДПФХ. Висновки. Отримані результати свідчать про конкурентне комплексоутворення у модельних молекулярних системах, що містять БЧАС, АСП і мембранні фосфоліпіди. Виявлений факт підтверджує можливість модуляції активності бісчетвертинних амонієвих протимікробних агентів і аспірину при сумісному використанні завдяки конкуренції між ліками за зв’язування з мембранними фосфоліпідами, а також внаслідок формування стабільних нековалентних комплексів між БЧАС і АСП.Цель. Изучение молекулярных механизмов возможной модуляции активности антимикробных бисчетвертичных аммониевых соединений (БЧАС) и аспирина (АСП) посредством формирования нековалентных комплексов при совместном введении препаратов двух типов в модельные системы с мембранными фосфолипидами. Методы. Двух- и трехкомпонентные системы, содержащие декаметоксин, этоний или тионий и АСП, а также дипальмитоилфосфатидилхолин (ДПФХ) исследовали методом масс-спектрометрии с ионизацией электроспреем. Результаты. На основании анализа ассоциатов, зарегистрированных в масс-спектрах, установлены типы нековалентных комплексов, образующихся в исследованных системах, а также обсуждена их предполагаемая роль в модуляции активности БЧАС и АСП. Формирование ассоциатов дикатионов БЧАС с анионом АСП является одним из возможных путей дезактивации ионных форм препаратов. Образование стабильных комплексов БЧАС с ДПФХ и АСП с ДПФХ в двухкомпонентных системах, а также распределение комплексов в трехкомпонентных системах БЧАС:АСП:ДПФХ указывают на существование конкуренции между препаратами двух типов за связывание с ДПФХ. Выводы. Полученные результаты свидетельствуют о конкурентном комплексообразовании в модельных молекулярных системах, содержащих БЧАС, АСП и мембранные фосфолипиды. Обнаруженный факт подтверждает возможность модуляции активности бисчетвертичных аммониевых противомикробных агентов и аспирина при совместном применении вследствие конкуренции между лекарствами за связывание с мембранными фосфолипидами, а также благодаря формированию нековалентных комплексов между БЧАС и АСП

The Suppressor of AAC2 Lethality SAL1 Modulates Sensitivity of Heterologously Expressed Artemia ADP/ATP Carrier to Bongkrekate in Yeast

The ADP/ATP carrier protein (AAC) expressed in Artemia franciscana is refractory to bongkrekate. We generated two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae where AAC1 and AAC3 were inactivated and the AAC2 isoform was replaced with Artemia AAC containing a hemagglutinin tag (ArAAC-HA). In one of the strains the suppressor of ΔAAC2 lethality, SAL1, was also inactivated but a plasmid coding for yeast AAC2 was included, because the ArAACΔsal1Δ strain was lethal. In both strains ArAAC-HA was expressed and correctly localized to the mitochondria. Peptide sequencing of ArAAC expressed in Artemia and that expressed in the modified yeasts revealed identical amino acid sequences. The isolated mitochondria from both modified strains developed 85% of the membrane potential attained by mitochondria of control strains, and addition of ADP yielded bongkrekate-sensitive depolarizations implying acquired sensitivity of ArAAC-mediated adenine nucleotide exchange to this poison, independent from SAL1. However, growth of ArAAC-expressing yeasts in glycerol-containing media was arrested by bongkrekate only in the presence of SAL1. We conclude that the mitochondrial environment of yeasts relying on respiratory growth conferred sensitivity of ArAAC to bongkrekate in a SAL1-dependent manner. © 2013 Wysocka-Kapcinska et al

A Novel Structural Assessment Technique to Prevent Damaged FRP-Wrapped Concrete Bridge Piers from Collapse

Repairing deteriorated concrete bridge piers using externally wrapped fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have been proven as an effective approach. This technique has also been applied to low-rise building structures. Failures in FRP-wrapped concrete structures may occur by flexural failures of critical sections or by debonding of FRP plate from the concrete substrate. Debonding in the FRP/adhesive/concrete interface region may cause a significant decrease in member capacity leading to a premature failure of the system. In this chapter, a novel structural assessment technique aiming at inspecting the near-surface FRP debonding and concrete cracking of damaged FRP-wrapped concrete bridge piers to prevent the structures from collapse is presented. In the first part of this chapter, failure mechanisms of FRP-wrapped concrete systems are briefly discussed. The second part of this chapter introduces a novel structural assessment technique in which far-field airborne radar is applied. In this development, emphasis is placed on inspection of debonding in glass FRP (GFRP)-wrapped concrete cylinders, while the technique is also applicable to beams and slabs with bonded GFRP composites. Physical radar measurements on laboratory specimens with structural damages were conducted and used for validating the technique. Processed experimental measurements have shown promising results for the future application of the technique. Finally, research findings and issues are summarized.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant CMS-0324607)Lincoln Laborator

Soft Ionization of Thermally Evaporated Hypergolic Ionic Liquid Aerosols

Isolated ion pairs of a conventional ionic liquid, 1-Ethyl-3-Methyl-Imidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Emim+][Tf2N?]), and a reactive hypergolic ionic liquid, 1-Butyl-3-Methyl-Imidazolium Dicyanamide ([Bmim+][Dca?]), are generated by vaporizing ionic liquid submicron aerosol particles for the first time; the vaporized species are investigated by dissociative ionization with tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light, exhibiting clear intact cations, Emim+ and Bmim+, presumably originating from intact ion pairs. Mass spectra of ion pair vapor from an effusive source of the hypergolic ionic liquid show substantial reactive decomposition due to the internal energy of the molecules emanating from the source. Photoionization efficiency curves in the near threshold ionization region of isolated ion pairs of [Emim+][Tf2N?]ionic liquid vapor are compared for an aerosol source and an effusive source, revealing changes in the appearance energy due to the amount of internal energy in the ion pairs. The aerosol source has a shift to higher threshold energy (~;;0.3 eV), attributed to reduced internal energy of the isolated ion pairs. The method of ionic liquid submicron aerosol particle vaporization, for reactive ionic liquids such as hypergolic species, is a convenient, thermally ?cooler? source of isolated intact ion pairs in the gas phase compared to effusive sources