2-Hydroxy-3-(p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamino)propylammonium p-nitrobenzenesulfonate

The title compound, [NO2C6H4SO2NHCH2CHOHCH2NH3]+- [p-NO2C6H4SO3]ÿ or C9H14N3O5S+ C6H4NO5Sÿ, was isolated from the reaction between 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane and p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride in CH2Cl2. The fairly extensive hydrogen-bond system involving all `active' H atoms links the ions in the crystal into layers normal to the b axis.published_or_final_versio

Evaluating Students' Perception of a Three-Dimensional Virtual World Learning Environment

Three-dimensional virtual environments have gained wide popularity due to improvement in graphic rendering technology and networking infrastructure. Many education institutions have been trying to leverage the potential of 3D virtual environments in their application in education. In this research, we aim to evaluate the students’ perception of virtual environments in teaching and learning activities. We set up a virtual classroom, where a short presentation was delivered to students through virtual projectors in Second Life, the most widely adopted 3D virtual environment. The students filled in a questionnaire after the class. We found that the students gave a statistically higher evaluation to 3D virtual environments in terms of satisfaction and enjoyment, while comparable scores between 3D and traditional learning environment in terms of concentration, perceived usefulness, and learning and understanding were obtained. Our results show that virtual learning environment is of great potential in e-learning. Some recommendations in using the virtual environment for learning activities are given.published_or_final_versio

Activin/follistatin system in grass carp pituitary cells: Regulation by local release of growth hormone and luteinizing hormone and its functional role in growth hormone synthesis and secretion

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Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Small molecular gadolinium(III) complexes as MRI contrast agents for diagnostic imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents that contain the gadolinium ion are widely used in biomedical research and diagnosis. The relaxation mechanism of these T 1-agents highlights their sensitivity towards the proximal environment. Greater knowledge of the structurally related relaxation mechanism, particularly factors that govern relaxivity, leads to scrutinized chelate designs that improve contrast enhancement. Cyclic and acyclic polyaminocarboxylate gadolinium complexes, especially those have favourable water exchange and tumbling rate for relaxation, have been reported to improve relaxivity and specificity. The criteria for a large relaxivity gain upon protein binding, such as the human serum albumin (HSA), are elucidated through the relaxometric study of the protein-chelate adduct. This adduct is an important model for the development of contrast agents, which may allow the in vivo visualization of proteins. The strength of HSA binding and the observed relaxivity are related to the pharmacokinetic profile of the contrast agents and give insight in the sensitivity of the agents after intravenous administration. By using animal models, an understanding of the physiology of contrast agents, including their biodistribution, excretion, and possible site of interaction, is acquired. The in vitro studies of contrast agents have demonstrated the feasibility of imaging various disease-related proteins, cell types, and gene delivery and expression. Imaging at the molecular level can be achieved through this integrative approach and the incorporation of nanotechnology in drug delivery. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Determining the mechanism of CSR-1 RNAi pathway to organize holocentromere in Caenorhabditis elegans

CSR-1 RNAi pathway is required for the holocentromere organization and proper chromosome segregation in Caenorhabditis elegans. It remains obscure how this pathway functionally links to these two events. A previous study showed that germline genes, which are targets of CSR-1 RNAi pathway, are inversely correlated to the centromeric histone H3 protein variant, HCP-3, occupancy on chromatin. We propose that CSR-1 RNAi pathway may restrict HCP-3 localization on the centromere. To study how the CSR-1 RNAi pathway affects the centromere function, we have closely examined the centromeric protein localization following RNAi knockdown of the Argonaute csr-1. Our live imaging data shows that csr-1 knockdown does not affect the bipolar arrangement of HCP-3 on centromere but elevates the centromeric HCP-3 level. We propose that the increase in HCP-3 chromatin localization results in merotelic kinetochore attachment and thus leads to chromosome missegregation. We will determine if tethering CSR-1 onto an HCP-3-enriched region will reduce HCP-3 occupancy by ChIP-qPCR. This study will provide insights on how RNAi and non-coding RNA transcripts function in centromere organization and implicate how centromeres are defined

Determining the Mechanism of CSR-1 RNAi Pathway in Organizing Holocentromere in Caenorhabditis elegans

Selected for Talk - Non-Coding Elements Involved in Centromere FunctionCSR-1 RNAi pathway is required for the holocentromere organization and proper chromosome segregation in Caenorhabditis elegans. It remains obscure how this pathway functionally links to these two events. A previous study showed that germline genes, which are targets of CSR-1 RNAi pathway, are inversely correlated to HCP-3 occupancy on chromatin. We propose that CSR-1 RNAi pathway may restrict HCP-3 localization on the centromere. To study how the CSR-1 RNAi pathway affects the centromere function, we have closely examined the centromeric protein localization and expression followed by RNAi knockdown of the Argonaute CSR-1. By live imaging, we found that upon csr-1 knockdown, embryos have an altered localization of the centromeric histone H3 protein variant, HCP-3. Our imaging and biochemical data also show that csr-1 knockdown elevated both centromeric and cellular level of HCP-3, respectively, but it did not affect the bipolar arrangement of HCP-3 on centromere. We proposed that the increase in HCP-3 level, which is comparable to CENP-A overexpression in other organisms, may lead to merotelic kinetochore attachment and aneuploidy. We will also test if HCP-3 occupancy is reduced after tethering CSR-1 onto an HCP-3-enriched region by ChIP-qPCR. This study will provide insights on how RNAi and non-coding RNA transcripts may function in centromere organization and implicate how centromere are defined

Novel gadolinium(III) polyaminocarboxylate macrocyclic complexes as potential magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents

Two novel Gd(III) complexes with functionalised polyaminocarboxylate macrocycles, 1,4,7-tris(carboxymethyl)-9,24-dioxo-14,19-dioxa-1,4,7,10,23- pentaazacyclododecane (L 1) and 1,4,7-tris(carboxymethyl)-9,25-dioxo- 14,17,20-trioxa-1,4,7,10,23- pentaazacyclotridecane (L 2), were prepared in good yield. Their potential use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs) was evaluated by investigating their relaxation behaviour as a function of pH, temperature and magnetic field strength. The 1/T 1 proton relaxivities at 20 MHz and 25°C of GdL 1 (5.87 mM -1 s -1) and GdL 2 (6.14 mM -1 s -1) were found to be significantly higher than the clinically used Gd 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (Gd(DOTA) -) and Gd diethylenetriaminepentaethanoic acid (Gd(DTPA) 2-). The complexes possess one water molecule in the inner coordination sphere whose mean residence lifetime was estimated to be 1.1 and 1.5 μs at 25°C by variable temperature (VT) 17O NMR spectroscopy. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Grass carp follisatin: Molecular cloning, functional characterization, dopamine D1 regulation at pituitary level and implication in growth hormone regulation. (as PI & corresponding author, impact factor: 3.675 / SJR ranking: top 5.6% of total)

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