Biomechanical Energy‐Driven Hybridized Generator as a Universal Portable Power Source for Smart/Wearable Electronics

The fast growth of smart electronics requires novel solutions to power them sustainably. Portable power sources capable of harvesting biomechanical energy are a promising modern approach to reduce battery dependency. Herein, a novel elastic impact‐based nonresonant hybridized generator (EINR‐HG) is reported to effectively harvest biomechanical energy from diverse human activities outdoors. Through the rational integration of a nonlinear electromagnetic generator with two contact‐mode triboelectric nanogenerators, the proposed EINR‐HG generates hybrid electrical output simultaneously under the same mechanical excitations. By introducing a flux‐concentrator with a nanowire‐nanofiber surface modification, significant improvement in the energy harvesting efficiency of the EINR‐HG is achieved. After optimizing using simulations and vibration tests, the as‐fabricated EINR‐HG delivers an outstanding normalized power density of 3.13 mW cm^?3 g^?2 across a matching resistance of 1.5 kΩ at 6 Hz under 1 g acceleration. Under human motion testing, the EINR‐HG generates an optimal output power of 131.4 mW with horizontal handshaking. With a customized power management circuit, the EINR‐HG serves as a universal power source that successfully drives commercial smart electronics, including smart bands and smartphones. This work shows the massive potential of biomechanical energy‐driven hybridized generators for powering personal electronics and portable healthcare monitoring devices.     

Grb7 and Filamin‐a associate and are colocalized to cell membrane ruffles upon EGF stimulation

Grb7 is an adaptor molecule mediating signal transduction from multiple cell surface receptors to diverse downstream pathways. Grb7, along with Grb10 and Grb14, make up the Grb7 protein family. This protein family has been shown to be overexpressed in certain cancers and cancer cell lines. Grb7 and a receptor tyrosine kinase, ErbB2, are overexpressed in 20–30% of breast cancers. Grb7 overexpression has been linked to enhanced cell migration and metastasis, although the participants in these pathways have not been fully determined. In this study, we report the Grb7 protein interacts with Filamin‐a, an actin‐crosslinking component of the cell cytoskeleton. Additionally, we have demonstrated the interaction between Grb7 and Flna is specific to the RA‐PH domains of Grb7, and the immunoglobulin‐like repeat 16–19 domains of Flna. We demonstrate that full‐length Grb7 and Flna interact in the mammalian cellular environment, as well as in vitro. Immunofluorescent microscopy shows potential co‐localization of Grb7 and Flna in membrane ruffles upon epidermal growth factor stimulation. These studies are amongst the first to establish a clear connection between Grb7 signaling and cytoskeletal remodeling. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Discovery of pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine C6-ketones as potent, orally active p38α MAP kinase inhibitors

Pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine based inhibitors of p38α have been prepared exploring functional group modifications at the C6 position. Incorporation of aryl and heteroaryl ketones at this position led to potent inhibitors with efficacy in in vivo models of acute and chronic inflammation.     

Malaria on the Guiana Shield: a review of the situation in French Guiana

In a climate of growing concern that Plasmodium falciparum may be developing a drug resistance to artemisinin derivatives in the Guiana Shield, this review details our current knowledge of malaria and control strategy in one part of the Shield, French Guiana. Local epidemiology, test-treat-track strategy, the state of parasite drug resistance and vector control measures are summarised. Current issues in terms of mobile populations and legislative limitations are also discussed.     

Quantitative analysis of organophosphorus pesticides in freshwater using an optimized firefly luciferase‐based coupled bioluminescent assay

In this paper, a coupled bioluminescent assay, relying on the coupling of the enzymes acetylcholinesterase, S‐acetyl‐coenzyme A synthetase and firefly luciferase, for the detection and quantitation of organophosphorus pesticides, is presented. Using malathion as a model organophosphorus pesticide, the assay was optimized through statistical experimental design methodology, namely Plackett–Burman and central composite designs. The optimized method requires only 20 μL of sample. The linear range for the assay was 2.5–15 μM of malathion, with limits of detection and quantitation of 1.5 and 5.0 μM, respectively. This simple, fast and robust method allows samples to be analyzed at room temperature and without any pretreatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Predicted structure model of Bungarotoxin from Bungarus fasciatus snake

Snake venoms are cocktails comprising combinations of different proteins, peptides, enzymes and toxins. Snake toxins have diverse characteristics having different molecular configuration, structure and mode of action. Many toxins derived from snake venom have distinct pharmacological activities. Venom from Bungarus fasciatus (commonly known as banded krait) is a species of elapid snake found on the South East Asia and Indian sub-continent, mainly contains neurotoxins. Beta bungartotoxin is the major fraction of Bungarus venom and particularly act pre-synaptically by obstructing neurotransmitter release. This toxin in other snake species functionally forms a heterodimer containing two different subunits (A and B). Dimerization of these two chains is a pre-requisite for the proper functionality of this protein. However, B. fasciatus bungartotoxin contains only B chain and their structural orientation in yet to be resolved. Therefore, it is of interest to describe the predicted structure model of the toxin for functional insights. In this work we analyzed the neurotoxic nature, their alignments, secondary and three dimensional structures, functions, active sites and stability with the help of different bioinformatical tools. A comprehensive analysis of the predicted model provides approaching to the functional interpretation of its molecular action.     

Effect of Alcohol on Bacterial Hemolysis

Hemolysis of blood agar is broadly used as a diagnostic tool for identifying and studying pathogenic microorganisms. We have recently shown that alcohol vapors can confer hemolytic properties on otherwise nonhemolytic fungi (microbial alcohol-conferred hemolysis; MACH). Until now, this phenomenon has been found in various yeast strains and other fungi, but only in a few bacterial species (e.g., staphylococci). In the current study we (1) determined the extent of the above phenomenon in various Gram-positive and Gram-negative laboratory bacterial strains and in clinical bacterial isolates, (2) validated the observed hemolysis using a quantitative technique, and (3) provided evidence that the observed alcohol-mediated hemolysis may, at least in part, be related to synthesis of hemolytic lipids.     

TRPM channels are required for rhythmicity in the ultradian defecation rhythm of <Emphasis Type="Italic">C. elegans</Emphasis>

Background  

Ultradian rhythms, rhythms with a period of less than 24 hours, are a widespread and fundamental aspect of life. The mechanisms underlying the control of such rhythms remain only partially understood. Defecation in C. elegans is a very tightly controlled rhythmic process. Underlying the defecation motor programme is an oscillator which functions in the intestinal cells of the animal. This mechanism includes periodic calcium release and subsequent intercellular calcium waves which in turn regulate the muscle contractions that make up the defecation motor programme. Here we investigate the role of TRPM cation channels in this process.     

Comparison of Worm Control Strategies in Grazing Sheep in Denmark

Control of nematode parasites with reduced reliance on the use of anthelmintics was studied in 16 ewes with suckling twin lambs on contaminated pasture in Denmark. Ewes and lambs were treated with albendazole at turn-out 3 May. Ewes were removed from the groups on 26 July, and lambs were slaughtered on 11 October. The animals were allocated to 4 groups of 8 lambs and their 4 ewes. Group TS was treated with albendazole at weeks 3, 6 and 8 after turnout and set-stocked; group TM was similarly treated but moved to clean pasture in conjunction with the last drenching; group US was untreated and set-stocked, and group UM was left untreated but moved to clean pasture week 8 after turn-out. Supplementary feed was offered in June and August due to scarcity of pasture. Strategic treatments of ewes and lambs weeks 3, 6 and 8 after turn-out, with or without a move to clean pasture, were highly effective in controlling nematode infections for most of the season. This was reflected in better weight gains and carcass characteristics in the treated compared to untreated lambs, resulting in an average increase in the value of the product by 36%. The effect of moving without treatment (UM) on faecal egg counts was limited but peak pasture infectivity was reduced to less than 10% compared to the set-stocked group and weight gains of lambs were significantly better despite poor feed availability in late season. The study showed that under set-stocked conditions repeated anthelmintic treatments of both ewes and lambs in early season may ensure sufficient nematode control whereas moving animals to clean pasture without dosing was less efficient. The latter may, however, still be a viable option in organic and other production systems where routine use of anthelmintics is banned, particularly if weaning and moving are combined or a second move is performed.     

<i>In vitro</i> evaluation of antifungal activity of Agave (<i>Agave scabra</i>, Salm Dyck) extracts against post-harvest mushrooms

The agricultural sector, and particularly the horticultural production, has a singular importance in agriculture, considering that it ranks second on agricultural products, nationally and worldwide. Fungal diseases are one of the major causes of vegetable loss during storage, reducing their nutritional value, quality and sale price. Vegetables are usually exposed to diverse treatments with chemical products before storage; as a result, fungal populations develop an increased resistance over time becoming more difficult to control. Because of this, research efforts toward finding more suitable chemicals to control fungal diseases are needed. Natural extracts may be an alternative solve this problem. In the present investigation the fungicidal activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Agave scabra was evaluated on the growth of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor sp., Aspergillus niger, Fusarium sp. and Penicillium sp., whose strains were isolated from potato and tomato. To assess their effects, the agar-dilution and agar-well techniques were performed. The ethanol extract was more effective against Botrytis cinerea and Mucor sp. when the agar-well method was used. However, when using the agar-dilution method the ethanol extract of Agave scabra inhibited the growth of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor sp. and Penicillium sp.