Two silicone nontoxic fouling release coatings: Hydrosilation cured PDMS and CaCO3 filled,ethoxysiloxane cured RTV11

Two silicone coatings have been evaluated for barnacle adhesion. One coating is an unfilled hydrosilation cured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) network, while the other is a room temperature vulcanized (RTV), filled, ethoxysiloxane cured PDMS elastomer, RTV11^?. The adhesion strength of one species of barnacle, Balanus eburneus, to the hydrosilation coatings is in the range of 0.37–0.60 kg cm^‐2 while the corresponding range for RTV11 is 0.64–0.90 kg cm^‐2. The easier release of B. eburneus from the hydrosilation cured network compared to RTV11 is discussed in relationship to differences in bulk and surface properties. Preliminary results suggest bulk modulus may be the most important parameter in determining barnacle adhesion strength. In light or mechanical property analysis, a re‐evaluation of surface properties and chemical stability is presented.     

Requirements for a minimum standard of care for phenylketonuria: the patients’ perspective

Phenylketonuria (PKU, ORPHA716) is an inherited disorder that affects about one in every 10,000 children born in Europe. Early and continuous application of a modified diet is largely successful in preventing the devastating brain damage associated with untreated PKU. The management of PKU is inconsistent: there are few national guidelines, and these tend to be incomplete and implemented sporadically. In this article, the first-ever pan- European patient/carer perspective on optimal PKU care, the European Society for Phenylketonuria and Allied Disorders (E.S.PKU) proposes recommendations for a minimum standard of care for PKU, to underpin the development of new pan-European guideline for the management of PKU. New standards of best practice should guarantee equal access to screening, treatment and monitoring throughout Europe. Screening protocols and interpretation of screening results should be standardised. Experienced Centres of Expertise are required, in line with current European Union policy, to guarantee a defined standard of multidisciplinary treatment and care for all medical and social aspects of PKU. Women of childbearing age require especially intensive management, due to the risk of severe risks to the foetus conferred by uncontrolled PKU. All aspects of treatment should be reimbursed to ensure uniform access across Europe to guideline-driven, evidence-based care. The E.S.PKU urges PKU healthcare professionals caring for people with PKU to take the lead in developing evidence based guidelines on PKU, while continuing to play an active role in serving as the voice of patients and their families, whose lives are affected by the condition.     

Synthesis,characterization, and electrocatalytic behaviour of hydrothermally grown nanostructured La2O3 and La2O3/K-complex

Rare earth metals play a conspicuous role in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detecting cancerous cells. The alkali metal potassium is a neurotransmitter in the sodium–potassium pump in biomedical sciences. This unique property of rare earth metals and potassium drew our attention to carry forward this study. Therefore, in this work, previously synthesized potassium (K) complexes formed by the reflux of 4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoic acid (DBA) and potassium hydroxide in methanol, and named [(μ2–4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoate-κO)(μ2–4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoic acid-κO)(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoic acid-κO) potassium(I) coordination polymer)] were treated hydrothermally with La₂O₃ nanomaterials to obtain a nanohybrid La₂O₃/K-complex. After that, the K-complex was analyzed using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the structural and morphological properties of the as-prepared nanostructured La₂O₃/K-complex were also characterized, which involved an investigation using X-ray diffraction (XRD)spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, atomic force spectroscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. After this, the electrochemical redox behaviour of the synthesized nanohybrid material was studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Therefore, the results from these studies revealed that the as-prepared material was a La₂O₃/K-complex that has a promising future role in sensing various analytes, as it showed effective electrocatalytic behaviour.     

Ptilomycalin A inhibits laccase and melanization in Cryptococcus neoformans

The antifungal spirocyclic guanidine alkaloid, ptilomycalin A, from marine sponge Monanchora arbuscula, inhibits melanogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro through inhibition of biosynthesis of laccase in the melanin biosynthetic pathway with an IC(50) of 7.3 μM.     

Targeting the lateral interactions of transmembrane domain 5 of Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1

The lateral transmembrane protein-protein interaction has been regarded as "undruggable" despite its importance in many biological processes. The homo-trimerization of transmembrane domain 5 (TMD-5) of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP-1) is critical for the constitutive oncogenic activation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Herein, we report a small molecule agent, NSC 259242 (compound 1), to be a TMD-5 self-association disruptor. Both the positively charged acetimidamide functional groups and the stilbene backbone of compound 1 are essential for its inhibitory activity. Furthermore, cell-based assays revealed that compound 1 inhibits full-length LMP-1 signaling in EBV infected B cells. These studies demonstrated a new strategy for identifying small molecule disruptors for investigating transmembrane protein-protein interactions.     

Non-secretory solitary plasmacytoma of the spleen

A case of primary nonsecretory plasmacytoma of the spleen is reported. On laparotomy and splenectomy a 920 g spleen was removed, measuring 16×14×6 cm. The cut surface of the entire spleen showed that the tumour occupied most of the splenic tissue. A bone marrow aspirate and trephine, skeletal survey showed no signs of myeloma. Biopsy of the liver and regional lymph nodes was normal. Immunocytochemistry of the splenic tumour showed positivity for pan-B and plasma cell markers. After splenectomy the patient was treated with chemotherapy according to protocol VBCMP (M2).     

Biological effects of power frequency magnetic fields: Neurochemical and toxicological changes in developing chick embryos

BACKGROUND: There are several reports that indicate a linkage between exposure to power frequency (50 - 60 Hz) magnetic fields with abnormalities in the early embryonic development of the chicken. The present study was designed to understand whether power frequency electromagnetic fields could act as an environmental insult and invoke any neurochemical or toxicological changes in developing chick embryo model. METHODS: Fertilized chicken eggs were subjected to continuous exposure to magnetic fields (50 Hz) of varying intensities (5, 50 or 100 microT) for a period of up to 15 days. The embryos were taken out of the eggs on day 5, day 10 and day 15. Neurochemical (norepinephrine and 5-hydroxytryptamine) and amino acid (tyrosine, glutamine and tryptophan) contents were measured, along with an assay of the enzyme glutamine synthetase in the brain. Preliminary toxicological investigations were carried out based on aminotransferases (AST and ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase activities in the whole embryo as well as in the liver. RESULTS: The study revealed that there was a significant increase (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) in the level of norepinephrine accompanied by a significant decrease (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) in the tyrosine content in the brain on day 15 following exposure to 5, 50 and 100 microT magnetic fields. There was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in glutamine synthetase activity resulting in the significantly enhanced (p < 0.001) level of glutamine in the brain on day 15 (for 100 microT only). The possible mechanisms for these alterations are discussed. Further, magnetic fields had no effect on the levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain. Similarly, there was no effect on the activity of either aminotransferases or lactate dehydrogenase in the whole embryo or liver due to magnetic field exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these studies we conclude that magnetic field-induced changes in norepinephrine levels might help explain alterations in the circadian rhythm, observed during magnetic field stress. Also, the enhanced level of glutamine can act as a contributing factor for developmental abnormalities.