关键词： Complex coacervation   double emulsion   microstructure   plant protein   riboflavin  

摘要： Compared to animal proteins, this paper describes the use of plant proteins as alternative emulsifiers in double emulsion (DE) fabrication followed by complex coacervation. This is an additional way to improve stability, sustainability and lower production costs. In this study, kappa-carrageenan (k-carr) was used in complex coacervation with DE stabilised by pea protein isolate (PPI), mung bean protein isolate and chickpea protein concentrate (CPC) at pH 2 and 3 to form microcapsules (DECC). By investigating the particle sizes, microstructures and visual observations over 9 days at 4 degrees C, PPI/k-carr DECC and CPC/k-carr DECC at pH 2 were the most stable. Riboflavin encapsulation in PPI/k-carr DECC achieved an encapsulation efficiency of 65.46%, preserving similar to 20% of riboflavin across the storage period. As compared to DE systems, complex coacervation significantly improved riboflavin encapsulation stability. The results highlight the potential of PPI as an alternative emulsifier in DECC for the delivery of bioactive compounds.

关键词： Anabolic androgenic steroids   Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone   Phase -II metabolite   Glucuronide   High-resolution mass spectrometry   Anti-doping  

摘要： ABS TRACT Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone (DHCMT) is one of the most detected illicit used anabolic-androgenic steroids in professional sports. Therefore, a fast and accurate analysis of this substance is of great importance for a constructive fight against doping abuse. The conventional method for the analysis of this drug, GC-MSMS, is very sensitive and selective but also very time-and resource-consuming. With the presented work, a new approach for simple detection with LC-HRMSMS without any sample preparation is introduced. The method is based on the direct analysis of two newly described phase-II metabolites of the DHCMT long-term metabolite 4-chloro-18-nor-17(i-hydroxymethyl-17 alpha-methyl-5(i-androst-13-en-3 alpha-ol (M3). LC-HRMSMS, GC-MSMS, fractionation and deriv-atization experiments are combined to identify and characterize for the first time two different glucuronide-acid conjugates of this metabolite in positive human urine samples. In addition, a third glucuronide metabolite was identified, however without isomeric structure determination. The detection of these metabolites is particularly interesting for confirmation analyses, as the method is rapid and requires little sample material.

关键词： arterial cannulation   neonate   pediatric anesthesia   ulnar artery  

关键词： Surgical Oncology   Oncology   Surgery  

关键词： Lithium-ion batteries   Anode   Lithium zinc titanate  

摘要： Cr-doped and undoped lithium zinc titanate (LZTO), Li2ZnCrxTi3-xO8 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5) has been prepared as alternative anode using a simple and facile high-temperature solid-state ball-milling route followed by calcination in the air atmosphere. The cubic spinel structure with P4(3)32 space group is confirmed through X-ray Diffraction (XRD) for all compositions indicating doping of Cr3+ does not cause any changes within the lattice as well as maintain the phase structure up to an optimized doping. The study of morphology and distribution of the particles in the synthesized LZTO and doped LZTO compositions are carried out via scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It reveals the formation of polyhedron-shaped spherical facets in the sub-micron to nanometer range as observed by TEM. The particle size reduces toward the nanometer range as the amount of Cr doping increases and it also decreases the agglomeration of particles. All the samples doped with Cr indicate good electrochemical performance as compared to pristine LZTO. Sample Li2ZnCr0.3Ti2.7O8 doped with Cr content 0.3 displays higher discharge capacity, better cyclability, and lower polarization among all other Cr doped samples. Li2ZnCr0.3Ti2.7O8 delivered excellent rate performances attaining capacities of 251.73 +/- 4, 184.34 +/- 5, 157.42 +/- 5, and 119.03 +/- 4 mAh g(-1) at 0.1C, 0.5C, 1, and 2C, respectively, which is higher than the pristine LZTO sample. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows Li2ZnCr0.3Ti2.7O8 acquired a lower value of charge-transfer resistance and the fastest Li-ion diffusivity which enhances its capacity at higher current rates and makes it suitable as an alternative anode for lithium-ion batteries.

关键词： continuous glucose monitoring   dietary intervention   exercise intervention   glycaemic control   insulin therapy   type 1 diabetes  

摘要： Aim To investigate the accuracy and acceptability of the FreeStyle Libre Flash continuous glucose monitoring system (FSL-CGM) at alternative sites during free living and under experimental conditions. Materials and Methods Participants with type 1 diabetes were provided with three FSL-CGM sensors applied to the upper arm, the lower back, and the anterior chest. On day 2 or 3, FSL-CGM sensor glucose was compared with venous glucose following a standard meal, during and after an exercise test, and after skin cooling. Participants completed 14-day use of the sensors with concomitant sensor scanning at all sites and capillary glucose tests. The primary outcome was accuracy between sensor sites of 14-day mean glucose. Clarke's error grids, precision absolute relative deviation, and mean absolute relative deviation were calculated. Results In the 20 participants, compared with the arm sensor, the accuracy of the back sensor and the chest sensor was 97.9% and 98%, respectively. Under experimental conditions, the arm sensor was more accurate than that of the back and chest. All the sensors recorded higher glucose concentration than venous samples during exercise. The arm and chest sites were most preferred, with the greatest sensor failures from the back. Conclusions The FSL-CGM is clinically accurate when the sensors are applied to alternate chest or back sites. Greater variability occurs during rapid changes in glucose concentration with all sensor sites compared with venous glucose. Understanding these variabilities allows appropriate use of an economically viable continuous glucose monitor.

关键词： chronic lymphocytic leukemia   EMILIN-1   microenvironment   survival   VLA-4  

摘要： CD49d, the alpha 4 chain of the VLA-4 integrin, is a negative prognosticator in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with a key role in CLL cell-microenvironment interactions mainly occurring via its ligands VCAM-1 and fibronectin. In the present study, we focused on EMILIN-1 (Elastin-MIcrofibriL-INterfacer-1), an alternative VLA-4 ligand whose role has been so far reported only in non-hematological settings, by investigating: i) the distribution of EMILIN-1 in CLL-involved tissues;ii) the capability of EMILIN-1 to operate, via its globular C1q (gC1q) domain, as additional adhesion ligand in CLL;iii) the functional meaning of EMILIN-1 gC1q/VLA-4 interactions in CLL. EMILIN-1 is widely present in the CLL-involved areas of bone marrow biopsies (BMBs) without difference between CD49d negative and positive cases, displaying at least three different expression patterns: "fibrillar", "dot-like" and "mixed". The lack in CLL-BMB of neutrophil elastase, whose proteolytic activity degrades EMILIN-1 and impairs EMILIN-1 function, suggests full functional EMILIN-1 in CLL independently of its expression pattern. Functionally, EMILIN-1 gC1q domain promotes adhesion of CLL cells through specific interaction with VLA-4, and releases pro-survival signals for CLL cells, as demonstrated by enhanced ERK and AKT phosphorylation and impairment of in-vitro-induced apoptosis. EMILIN-1/VLA-4 interaction can efficiently contribute to the maintenance of the neoplastic clone in CLL.

关键词： alternative high schools   mental health correlates   school policy  

摘要： Students in alternative high schools (AHSs) are an understudied population who experience disproportionate levels of risk factors that contribute to mental health problems. Using logistic regression, we explored associations between mental health problems and risk and protective factors among students in Texas AHSs (n = 515;mean age 17.1 years;51% female, 78% youth of color, 64% eligible for free/reduced lunch). Principals (n = 14) and lead health educators (n = 14) reported on school-level efforts to address mental health. Students reported, on average, 1.55 of 4 mental health problems in the past year. Logistic regression indicated that greater number of adverse childhood experiences, lower self-esteem, female gender, and sleep disruption (getting <8 h of sleep per night) were common contributors to symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and PTSD with models showing medium-to-large effects (AUC: 0.73-0.81). We assessed school-level efforts to address mental health using descriptive statistics. At the school level, most (>50%) principals reported having policies and services to support student mental health, with the exception of having mental health/social services staff represented on school health councils (36%) and having Gay-Straight Alliances (21%). Most lead health educators (86%) reported educating AHS students about mental health, and many (57%) reported receiving professional development in mental health. Future research with a larger number of schools is needed to analyze whether school policies are statistically associated with student-level mental health outcomes. Such multi-level research can inform policies and practices for AHS student mental health.

关键词： COVID-19   VWF   ADAMTS13   Complement activation   Endotheliopathy   Microthrombosis  

摘要： ADAMTS13, a metalloproteinase, specifically cleaves unusually large multimers of von Willebrand factor (VWF), newly released from vascular endothelial cells. The ratio of ADAMTS13 activity to VWF antigen (ADAMTS13/VWF) and indicators of the alternative complement pathway (C3a and sC5b-9) are both related to the severity of COVID-19. The ADAMTS13/VWF ratio is generally moderately decreased (0.18-0.35) in patients with severe COVID-19. When these patients experience cytokine storms, both interleukin-8 and TNF alpha stimulate VWF release from vascular endothelial cells, while interleukin-6 inhibits both production of ADAMTS13 and its interaction with VWF, resulting in localized severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity. Platelet factor 4 and thrombospondin-1, both released upon platelet activation, bind to the VWF-A2 domain and enhance the blockade of ADAMTS13 function. Thus, the released unusually-large VWF multimers remain associated with the vascular endothelial cell surface, via anchoring with syndecan-1 in the glycocalyx. Unfolding of the VWF-A2 domain, which has high sequence homology with complement factor B, allows the domain to bind to activated complement C3b, providing a platform for complement activation of the alternative pathway. The resultant C3a and C5a generate tissue factor-rich neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which induce the mixed immunothrombosis, fibrin clots and platelet aggregates typically seen in patients with severe COVID-19.

关键词： elastic slab   Moutier theorem   solvent-induced stress  

摘要： Understanding the solvent-induced stresses in polymeric materials is of profound importance for drug release and soft robotics. This work presents an alternative method to obtain an analytical solution of solvent-induced stress in an elastic slab using the Moutier theorem under the framework of equilibrium thermodynamics and the elastic solution available in the literature. Using the analytical solution and the temporal evolution of the mass of organic solvents in polymeric slabs, we analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of the solvent-induced stress in the polymeric slabs and reveal the effects of the solvent transport on the stress evolution. The approach presented in this work provides a simple method to solve the decoupling problem involving diffusion and solvent-induced stresses.