We present Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models of the coupled dynamics of water flow, heat transfer and irradiance in and around corals to predict temperatures experienced by corals. These models were validated against controlled laboratory experiments, under constant and transient irradiance, for hemispherical and branching corals. Our CFD models agree very well with experimental studies. A linear relationship between irradiance and coral surface warming was evident in both the simulation and experimental result agreeing with heat transfer theory. However, CFD models for the steady state simulation produced a better fit to the linear relationship than the experimental data, likely due to experimental error in the empirical measurements. The consistency of our modelling results with experimental observations demonstrates the applicability of CFD simulations, such as the models developed here, to coral bleaching studies. A study of the influence of coral skeletal porosity and skeletal bulk density on surface warming was also undertaken, demonstrating boundary layer behaviour, and interstitial flow magnitude and temperature profiles in coral cross sections. Our models compliment recent studies showing systematic changes in these parameters in some coral colonies and have utility in the prediction of coral bleaching.

Serological tests for pancreatic cancer have been criticized too harshly as a result of being tested in inappropriate roles. They are never likely to become sufficiently specific for screening an asymptomatic population unless some way can be found of defining a population with a particularly high risk for the disease. Nor are they appropriate in the investigation of the jaundiced patient. The markers that are carried by secreted mucins seem the most promising and in view of the marked heterogeneity of carbohydrate expression on mucins a combination of tests for two or three carefully selected markers is likely to be better than one. The high cost per test that results from using commercially available radioimmunoassay kits with a short shelf-life can be reduced by using enzyme-linked assays which have a much longer shelf-life. These tests are likely to be of most help in the investigation of non-jaundiced patients with unexplained abdominal pain or weight loss. In this group of patients it seems probable that serological tests will compliment scanning techniques but further studies are needed to assess this.

BACKGROUND

Urine analysis is one of the recommended antenatal guidelines for early diagnosis of pregnancy-associated complications. While in practice, urine analysis by dipstick had been used to provide useful information on other urinary tract infections, its applications for early detection of urogenital schistosomiasis in pregnant women is often times not given due attention in most endemic areas. Our study therefore assessed the performance of some common urinalysis parameters in the diagnosis of maternal urogenital schistosomiasis in endemic rural communities of Nigeria.

RESULTS

The cross-sectional epidemiologic survey of urogenital schistosomiasis was conducted among pregnant women in Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria. The women were microscopically examined for infection with Schistosoma haematobium, visually observed for macrohematuria, and screened for microhematuria and proteinuria using standard urine chemical reagent strips. Of 261 volunteered participants, 19.9% tested positive for S. haematobium infection. The proportion of microhematuria (23.8%) was significantly higher than that of macrohematuria (3.8%) and proteinuria (16.8%) (P<0.05). Microhematuria with sensitivity (82.7%) and specificity (89.0%) was the best diagnostic indicator of urogenital schistosomiasis. Macrohematuria with the least sensitivity (11.8%) was however the most specific (98.1%) for diagnosing urogenital schistosomiasis in pregnant women. Maximum microhematuria sensitivity (100.0%) was observed in women between 15-19 years but sensitivity was consistently low in older age groups. Maximum sensitivity, specificity and predictive values (100.0%) were recorded for microhematuria in first trimester women. Diagnostic efficiency of proteinuria and macrohematuria was also better in the first trimester women except the 25.0% specificity recorded for proteinuria. The overall diagnostic performance of microhematuria and proteinuria was better in secundigravidae.

CONCLUSIONS

Microhematuria can be used for early detection of urogenital schistosomiasis in endemic areas especially in younger women. However because microhematuria is a condition that occurs during pregnancy and in several other diseases, it is necessary to compliment the diagnosis with other diagnostic tools such as microscopy and serology. Treatment with praziquantel is recommended for the women in their late trimesters after follow up test in order to avert associated adverse pregnancy outcomes.

BACKGROUND

The use of storytelling in qualitative research involving Inuit compliments the oral tradition of Inuit culture. The objective of the research was to explore the use of qualitative methods to gain understanding of the experience of living with diabetes, with the ultimate goal of better formulating health care delivery and health promotion among Inuit.

METHODS

In-depth interviews were analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis, open coding, and structured narrative analysis. Inuit community members acted as partners through all stages of the research.

RESULTS

''Because the more we understand, the more we're gonna do a prevention on it ... What I want is use my, use my diabetes, what I have ... so that it can be used by other people for prevention because they'll have understanding about it'' - an Inuk storyteller speaks to the value of education in health promotion. Key methodological issues found relevant to improving qualitative research with Indigenous Peoples include: (i) participatory research methods, grounded in principals of equity, through all phases of research; (ii) the presentation of narratives rather than only interpretations of narratives; (iii) understanding of culture, language, and place to frame the interpretation of the stories in the context within which storytellers experience living with their diabetes, and (iv) the value of multiple methods of analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

This article comments on the challenges of conducting rigorous research in a cross-cultural setting and outlines methodologies that can improve qualitative narrative analyses research. The research highlighted experiences of living with diabetes and the ways in which storytellers coped and negotiated social support.

To evaluate permeability of blood-brain barrier (BBB) some immunological and biochemical indices were used. The levels of the activity of serum kallikrein-kinin system (KKS), compliment system, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, blood inhibitory potential, metabolic and degranulating activities of neutrophils, as well as functional activity of leukocytic elastase were investigated in 30 patients. Acute schizophrenic attack was accompanied by both activation of KKS and by the increase of functional activity of alfa-1-proteinase inhibitor. The increase of CRP levels, high hemolytic activity of complement as well as considerable degranulating activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes may be the causes of the damage of BBB permeability during acute schizophrenic attack.

Between 1981 and 1991, seventy-two cases of brain stem lesions have undergone CT or MRI-directed stereotactic surgery using the Brown-Roberts-Wells or Cosman-Roberts-Wells stereotactic systems. In 16 cases, the pre-operative diagnosis of haematoma had been made and the procedure was for therapeutic aspiration. In fifty-six cases, the pre-operative diagnosis was uncertain although intrinsic tumour was suspected. Histological diagnosis was obtained in fifty-four of these and unexpected findings of haematomas, granulomas, leucoencephalopathy, demyelinating disease, vasculitis and radiation necrosis occurred in over 15% of the cases. There were no operative deaths and morbidity was low. Advances in neuroradiological imaging with CT and MRI have increased the detection rate of brain stem lesions and image-directed stereotactic biopsy makes it possible in most cases to obtain histological diagnosis with relatively low morbidity which is important for treatment and prognosis. MRI-directed biopsies can compliment CT-guided biopsies in most cases where the lesion is not adequately delineated on the CT image.

The effects of 12 weeks of exercise training without dietary control (n = 30) and exercise training with dietary control by dietition counseling (n = 30) and exercise training with dietary control by dietition counseling (n = 30) on serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and total substrate contents were studied in 60 postmyocardial infarction patients. Both groups showed reductions (P less than 0.01) in mean total daily kilocalories consumed (2867 +/- 82 versus 2088 +/- 77 and 2848 +/- 15 versus 1285 +/- 68, respectively); however, no significant change occurred in total body weight. The dietary control group consumed relatively more kilocalories as protein than the group without dietary control (285 of 1,285 versus 389 of 2,088, respectively) and less (P less than 0.05) as fat (443 of 1285 versus 804 of 2,089, respectively). Both groups had lower (P less than 0.01) mean daily dietary cholesterol after 12 weeks (811 +/- 44 versus 232 +/- 17 mg) versus (325 +/- 18 versus 309 +/- 23 mg, respectively). A reduction in serum cholesterol (P less than 0.05) was seen in the dietary control group (270 +/- 8 versus 243 +/- 7 mg/dl) but not in the group without dietary control (260 +/- 6 versus 261 +/- 7 mg/dl). The dietary control group had a lower mean triglyceride level (P less than 0.05) (229 +/- 24 versus 155 +/- 18 mg/dl)) but no differences were seen in the group without dietary control (189 +/- 15 versus 180 +/- 13 mg/dl). It is concluded that significant reductions in caloric intake and daily cholesterol compliment the effects of exercise training in postmyocardial infarction patients by increasing substrate protein:fat consumption ratio and by reducing serum cholesterol and triglycerides. These effects are not seen with exercise training alone.

The trade in Phyllanthus material as bulk herb is rampant and mainly involves herbaceous species such as Phyllanthus amarus, P. fraternus, P . debilis and P. urinaria. These species are very important in herbal medicines and have varied activities. In India these species grow sympatrically and there are chances of deliberate or ignorant adulteration of crude drugs, lowering the efficiency of the medication for its intended purpose. Secondly, incorrect identification may also lead to erroneous reports on activities/molecules. To overcome this problem in crude drug (dry leaf powder) and compliment morphological identification in live plant, we have developed SCAR markers for all four species. In each species, we selected one fragment as being monomorphic between accessions but differing in size between species. These species-specific fragments were selected, cloned and sequenced. Based on the sequences, primer pairs were designed and amplification conditions standardized. SCAR markers were isolated from population DNA amplification profiles and validated by sequencing. The species-specific SCAR primers could retrieve the same size and sequence of fragments as in the RAPD profile. These fragments are 1150 bp, 317 bp, 980 bp and 550 bp in size for P. amarus, P. fraternus, P. debilis and P. urinaria, respectively. Additional fragments in P. debilis and P. urinaria indicate different alleles. The retrieval of same size and sequence of species-specific unique SCAR markers from the respective accessions (mixed DNA sample of same accessions) indicates the usefulness to study natural hybridization between the species in addition to adulteration.

Homalodisca coagulata (Say) and Homalodisca lacerta (Fowler) are vectors of a new bacterial disease of oleander in California known as oleander leaf scorch, induced by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. H. coagulata also has been implicated in the spread of the strain of X. fastidiosa that induces Pierce's disease of grapevines in California. We monitored the flight activity of H. coagulata and H. lacerta in oleander and citrus by using yellow sticky cards at three southern California locations where outbreaks of oleander leaf scorch have been documented, and where vector compliments are different. Areas sampled included a mesic coastal area (Irvine, CA) that supports predominantly H. coagulata and few H. lacerta, a dry inland location (Palm Desert, CA) that supports predominantly H. lacerta and few H. coagulata, and an intermediate area (Riverside, CA) supporting both Homalodisca species. From November 1996 to October 1999 peak catches of both Homalodisca species occurred during the midsummer at all locations. H. coagulata was trapped in greater numbers in citrus than in oleander at both the Riverside and the Irvine sites. Likewise, H. lacerta in Riverside was more associated with citrus than oleander, yet H. lacerta in Palm Desert was trapped in greater numbers in oleander than citrus.

Many pediatric health care institutions lack guidelines to address the presence of family members during resuscitation activities. This integrative literature review was used to establish an evidence-based approach that would compliment our institution's philosophy of "family centered care." The evidence supports a partnering with the families: Hospital staff ask families whether they want to be present during life-saving interventions by health care professions. Families want to make the choice, and when they are present during resuscitation efforts, there is less litigation, anxiety, and second-guessing regarding the efforts and competence of the staff providing that care. No literature was found to support beliefs that family member presence is harmful to the family or the institution. A practice policy is provided that respects family choice and presence during life-saving measures in pediatric care facilities.

P-glycoprotein (Pgp, encoded by ABCB1, commonly known as MDR1), an ATP-dependent transporter with a broad range of hydrophobic drug substrates, has been associated with the in vitro intracellular transport of cholesterol; however, these findings have not been confirmed in vivo. In this manuscript we tested the contributions of Pgp to in vivo cholesterol homeostasis by comparing the cholesterol phenotype of wild type mice with mice lacking both murine isoforms of Pgp (Abcb1a(-/-)/1b(-/-)) by measuring cholesterol absorption, circulating cholesterol, and lipoprotein cholesterol profiles. The mice were fed diets containing normal or high levels of dietary fat (25% vs 45% kcal from fat) and cholesterol (0.02% vs 0.20% w/w) for 8 weeks to challenge their capacity to maintain homeostasis. There were no significant differences in cholesterol absorption, circulating cholesterol levels, and lipoprotein profiles between Pgp knockout and wild type mice fed matching diets. Compensatory shifts were observed in the activation of two key transcription factors involved in maintaining cholesterol balance, the Liver X Receptor and SREBP-2, which may have maintained the wild type phenotype in the knockout mice. Deletion of Pgp affected the molar composition of gallbladder bile, when the mice were fed diets containing high levels of dietary fat, cholesterol, or both. The mole fraction of bile salts was reduced in the gallbladder bile of Pgp knockout mice, while the mole fraction of cholesterol was increased. In this paper, we provide evidence that Pgp knockout mice maintain cholesterol homeostasis, even when challenged with high cholesterol diets. We suggest that the specific shifts in cholesterol regulatory networks identified in the jejunum and liver of the knockout mice may have compensated for the lack of Pgp. Our finding that Pgp knockout mice were unable to maintain gallbladder bile composition when challenged with high dietary fat and/or cholesterol compliments recent reports that Pgp may be a secondary bile salt export pump.

This study evaluated a relatively new molecular technique, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), as a tool for quantifying gene expression in the ovine abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus for which there is relatively limited (approximately 20% gene coverage) sequence information. SAGE technology generates data that are both qualitative and quantitative and, as such, compliments other functional genomics approaches such as EST analysis and micro-array. Prior to embarking on large-scale comparisons, the present study was initiated to establish (i) how well SAGE and EST data taken from the same life-cycle stage would compare, (ii) how easily SAGE tags could be assigned to genes given that the genome sequence is not available and (iii) whether it would be possible to extend the sequences of the SAGE tags to facilitate their identification. Of 2825 tag sequences analysed from adults harvested 28 days post-infection, the identity of the encoding gene could be ascribed to 63% of the tags. The relative abundance of these genes, arbitrarily categorized on the basis of function, was comparable with that of an EST dataset also from adults (n = 2317). In addition, tag sequences could be readily extended and thereby identified using a tag-based primer and Reverse Transcription-PCR.

Targeted systemic radiotherapy constitutes the systemic administration of a radioactive agent that targets a molecule expressed preferentially on cancer cells. The archetypal such therapy is 131-iodine ((131)I) therapy for differentiated thyroid cancers. Radiotherapy typically delivers a calculated radiation-absorbed dose to tumor that takes into account (contiguous) normal tissue. Systemic radiotherapy development currently uses schema more analogous to chemotherapy--a radioactivity estimate that does not cause any irreversible toxicity. Historically, arbitrary amounts of radioactivity shown to be effective, on the basis of retrospective review, were used for thyroid cancer therapy with (131)I as well as for neuroendocrine tumor therapy with (131)I-labeled meta-iodo-benzylguanidine (MIBG). Their established safety record has led to adaptations that include repeat therapies with nontoxic amounts of radioactivity. There remains, however, a lack of clear understanding of the safety limits of systemic targeted radiotherapy. This is probably most true in systemic therapy with MIBG in adult neuroendocrine tumors. Bone marrow is the primary critical organ for most targeted systemic radiotherapy; second organ involvement may be renal, as with MIBG and targeted radiopeptide therapy, or pulmonary, as with radioimmunotherapy. Most therapies have tended toward multiple administrations of subtoxic amounts of radioactivity. Therapy with MIBG in pheochromococytoma as well as targeted radiopeptide therapy in medullary thyroid cancer has followed this model. Radioimmunotherapy appears very promising; a definitive Phase 2 study needs completion. All therapy has shown promise in extending disease survival (as compared with historical controls), with few major structural (or biochemical) responses. This review will attempt to compliment the excellent existing literature by providing an overall systemic therapeutic approach to this promising endeavor.

This study evaluates the impact of self-monitoring on three heterosexual conversational behaviors of head trauma youths. Two 5-minute audiotaped conversations occurred daily between the youths and unfamiliar female confederates. Two conversations occurring on alternate days in clinical and natural conversational settings were scored for the frequency of compliments, questions, and self-disclosures. A multiple baseline analysis with alternating treatments for "instructions to self-monitor" and "no instructions to self-monitor" revealed (a) self-monitoring had an accelerative effect on compliments and questions and a decelerative effect on self-disclosure; (b) self-monitoring effects were maintained despite transferring from a mechanical counter to an unspecified covert monitoring procedure; (c) self-monitoring had a comparable effect whether employed in a clinical or functional communication setting; (d) performance of the target behavior was most strongly influenced under the "instructions to self-monitor condition;" (e) once intervention was directed to another response, the rate under the instructions and no instruction conditions became equivalent; and (f) the results maintained over a 1-month follow-up for one youth available for observation. Finally, social comparison and subjective evaluation data supported the importance of intervention.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a major cause of disability worldwide. Most cases of ischemic stroke are attributable to hypertension and other risk factors, but in over 20% of cases, the cause is unknown. Recent research has implicated some novel genes in the etiology of ischemic stroke, including genes for soluble epoxide hydrolase (sHE), 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) and phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D). Moreover, thrombophilic states such as prothrombin G20210A mutation and factor V Leiden are now known to cause arterial stroke as well as venous thrombosis. Meanwhile, the recent availability of enzyme replacement therapy for Fabry disease and the proven benefits of regular blood transfusion in certain patients with sickle cell disease have greatly altered the outlook of these devastating inherited disorders. Thus, our understanding of the role of genetic factors in stroke raises the prospects for accurate assessment of future stroke risk among susceptible individuals, in whom early preventive measures may be life-saving. Further research into the genetics of stroke will clearly compliment ongoing national and international efforts to reduce the global burden of stroke.

Intraarterial angiography remains the "gold standard" for the evaluation of the intracranial vasculature, but it carries with it the risks of local vascular damage, systemic reactions, transient neurologic deficits, permanent neurologic compromise, and even death. To date, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has been applied to a variety of different manifestations of intracranial vascular disease. Presently, MRA studies and flow measurement techniques serve to compliment the more traditional spin-echo evaluation of patients with small aneurysms, arterial and venous occlusions, vascular malformations, and in some cases of neoplastic vascular invasion. Practically, the limitations of these techniques must be taken into account such that the appropriate method is applied to answer a specific clinical question and the acquisition parameters are chosen to maximize the sensitivity and specificity of the study. The intent of this review is to summarize the technical approaches, clinical role, pitfalls, and potential improvements in the MRA techniques as they apply to the intracranial circulation.

Reaction of sulfur ylide with a series of aryl substituted chiral non-racemic sulfinyl imines afforded the corresponding aziridines in high yield and good stereoselection. The sulfur ylides were generated by the thermally induced decarboxylation of carboxymethylsulfonium betaines. A drop in the diastereomeric ratio was observed when going from electron deficient to electron releasing aryl substituted imines. Sulfonium methylidene aziridinations involving the decarboxylation of carboxymethylsulfonium betaine functionality compliments existing technologies with the advantages of the reaction protocol, levels of conversion and scope.

This article discusses the treatment of recurrent flexion-contracture of the knee after circumferential burns involving the entire limb. A two-team approach to surgery is used: the orthopedic team widely excises the scar tissue and releases tendons, muscles, and adjacent soft tissue that limit joint movement. The microsurgery team covers the exposed popliteal neurovascular elements with a latissimus dorsi free flap. However, full range of the knee is still limited by the short neurovascular bundle. Therefore, the orthopedic team applies a circular hinged Iliazarov external-fixator-frame to achieve gradual correction, until full range of the knee is achieved. Intensive physiotherapy and continuing use of extension splints for additional 6 months until the scars are deemed stable compliment the treatment regimen and prevent the recurrence of contractures. Between the years 2002 and 2003, we treated four patients (totaling five knee joints) with recurrent severe flexion-contractures after circumferential burns of the entire lower extremity. A significant limitation was caused by the abnormal scarring, which left the patients confined to a wheelchair. In all our patients, previous attempts to release the flexion-contracture failed. With the aforementioned technique, within 3 months after the procedure, all patients were able to walk. We encountered one major complication (ie, drop foot). At follow-up, all patients enjoyed a full range of motion and were able to walk. The strength of our approach comes from combining a free muscle flap with an Iliazarov external fixation and a detailed postoperative rehabilitation plan.

Despite the broad distribution of M. ozzardi in Latin America and the Caribbean, there is still very little DNA sequence data available to study this neglected parasite's epidemiology. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences, especially the cytochrome oxidase (CO1) gene's barcoding region, have been targeted successfully for filarial diagnostics and for epidemiological, ecological and evolutionary studies. MtDNA-based studies can, however, be compromised by unrecognised mitochondrial pseudogenes, such as Numts. Here, we have used shot-gun Illumina-HiSeq sequencing to recover the first complete Mansonella genus mitogenome and to identify several mitochondrial-origin pseudogenes. Mitogenome phylogenetic analysis placed M. ozzardi in the Onchocercidae "ONC5" clade and suggested that Mansonella parasites are more closely related to Wuchereria and Brugia genera parasites than they are to Loa genus parasites. DNA sequence alignments, BLAST searches and conceptual translations have been used to compliment phylogenetic analysis showing that M. ozzardi from the Amazon and Caribbean regions are near-identical and that previously reported Peruvian M. ozzardi CO1 reference sequences are probably of pseudogene origin. In addition to adding a much-needed resource to the Mansonella genus's molecular tool-kit and providing evidence that some M. ozzardi CO1 sequence deposits are pseudogenes, our results suggest that all Neotropical M. ozzardi parasites are closely related.

The following article describes a diagnostic concept of paranasal sinus imaging, based on more than 10 years close collaboration of the authors. CT and MR are the primary imaging modalities for investigating paranasal sinus lesions. Conventional X-ray images add little information due to insufficient sensitivity. Angiography is restricted to those patients who require preoperative tumor embolization or emergency treatment of intractable epistaxis. After thorough medical treatment of inflammatory paranasal sinus disease, CT becomes the method of choice to clearly depict preoperative osseous anatomy and to distinguish between benign and malignant intraosseous lesions. In cases where trauma is involved, CT easily identifies anterior skull base fractures. Moreover, CT will be the first step to localize early or late CSF rhinorrhea. MR, with its ability to distinguish between different soft tissues, compliments CT. This holds particularly true for inflammatory or neoplastic disease close to the skull base, orbital apex and cavernous sinus. The signal intensity in T(1) and T(2) weighted images provides additional information with respect to cellularity and vascularization of lesions, which has important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

In order to compliment the current interest in lesions affecting the face and jaws in Clinical Radiology, this overview addresses recent developments in the classification, nomenclature, clinical and radiological diagnosis, and outcomes of treatment of the most important and frequent lesions that present as radiolucencies on conventional radiography of the jaws. Although termed "benign" a significant proportion of each odontogenic neoplasm can recur after conservative surgery. Two diagnostic flowcharts take the clinician from the radiological presentation of a lesion in the jaw to an appropriate diagnosis. The recent advent of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can enhance the quality of the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of such lesions. CBCT images of typical benign neoplasms, cysts, and other phenomena affecting the face and jaws are included. The relative period prevalences of the lesions, based on the most recent UK reports, are included. The importance to the radiologist of an emerging lesion of the jaws, the glandular odontogenic cyst, is discussed.

Geobacter sulfurreducens and S. oneidensis are the subjects of intense research efforts due to their potential applications to bioremediation. The characterization of their proteomes, being done in parallel with the analysis of their genome sequences, transcriptomes, and metabolomes, is providing valuable insights to both their similarities and their differences. A primary target of interest in the proteomes of both of these metal-reducing microbes is the characterization of their c-type cytochromes. The discovery of their full compliment of c-type cytochromes and the description of what growth conditions trigger their expression is central to harnessing their bioremediation potential. Proteome analyses thus far show that both G. sulfurreducens and S. oneidensis share the common location of a majority of their c-type cytochromes in their outer membranes. The c-type cytochromes of G. sulfurreducens, however, appear to be less soluble and therefore more difficult to isolate from the membranes than those expressed by S. oneidensis. The majority of the G. sulfurreducens c-type cytochromes also differ from those of S. oneidensis in that they have higher isoelectric points, most higher than pH 8.0. These characteristics of solubility and isoelectric point could be related and could indicate an underlying functional difference in the strategy for metal reduction between these two microbes. The global proteome results available for G. sulfurreducens and S. oneidensis at the time of this writing are primarily the result of 2DE analysis coupled to protein identification by LC-MS/MS of tryptic peptides from in-gel digests and represent the most abundant proteins detected by Coomassie blue or silver nitrate staining. Currently, several complimentary efforts utilising the 2D-LC-MS/MS approaches are in progress, promising a more complete protein inventory for these microbes in the near future. As these data are added to those already available, the intricate network of metabolic processes, regulation of protein synthesis and protein function, transport of nutrients, and signal transduction will be elucidated. The existing tools of proteomics will be complimented with newer methods such as protein chips and phage display to further characterize these microbial systems. The end result, in the not too distant future, will be predictive models of G. sulfurreducens and S. oneidensis behavior in their natural habitats under a variety of environmental conditions.

Biomimetic proteoglycans (BPGs) were designed to mimic the three-dimensional (3D) bottlebrush architecture of natural extracellular matrix (ECM) proteoglycans, such as aggrecan. BPGs were synthesized by grafting native chondroitin sulfate bristles onto a synthetic poly(acrylic acid) core to form BPGs at a molecular weight of approximately ∼1.6 MDa. The aggrecan mimics were characterized chemically, physically, and structurally, confirming the 3D bottlebrush architecture as well as a level of water uptake, which is greater than that of the natural proteoglycan, aggrecan. Aggrecan mimics were cytocompatible at physiological concentrations. Fluorescently labeled BPGs were injected into the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc ex vivo and were retained in tissue before and after static loading and equilibrium conditioning. BPGs infiltrated the tissue, distributed and integrated with the ECM on a molecular scale, in the absence of a bolus, thus demonstrating a new molecular approach to tissue repair: molecular matrix engineering. Molecular matrix engineering may compliment or offer an acellular alternative to current regenerative medicine strategies.

UNASSIGNED

Aggrecan is a natural biomolecule that is essential for connective tissue hydration and mechanics. Aggrecan is composed of negatively charged chondroitin sulfate bristles attached to a protein core in a bottlebrush configuration. With age and degeneration, enzymatic degradation of aggrecan outpaces cellular synthesis resulting in a loss of this important molecule. We demonstrate a novel biomimetic molecule composed of natural chondroitin sulfate bristles grafted onto an enzymatically-resistant synthetic core. Our molecule mimics a 3D architecture and charge density of the natural aggrecan, can be delivered via a simple injection and is retained in tissue after equilibrium conditioning and loading. This novel material can serve as a platform for molecular repair, drug delivery and tissue engineering in regenerative medicine approaches.

Among various problems faced by mankind, health-related concerns are prevailing since long which are commonly found in the form of infectious diseases and different metabolic disorders. The clinical cure and management of such abnormalities are greatly dependent on the availability of their diagnoses. The conventional diagnostics used for such purposes are extremely powerful; however, most of these are limited by time-consuming protocols and require higher volume of test sample, etc. A new evolving technology called "biosensor" in this context shows an enormous potential for an alternative diagnostic device, which constantly compliments the conventional diagnoses. In this review, we have summarized different kinds of biosensors and their fundamental understanding with various state-of-the-art examples. A critical examination of different types of biosensing mechanisms is also reported highlighting the advantages of electrochemical biosensors for its great potentials in next-generation commercially viable modules. In recent years, a number of nanomaterials are extensively used to enhance not only the performance of biosensing mechanism, but also obtain robust, cheap, and fabrication-friendly durable mechanism. Herein, we have summarized the importance of nanomaterials in biosensing mechanism, their syntheses as well as characterization techniques. Subsequently, we have discussed the probe fabrication processes along with various techniques for assessing its analytical performances and potentials for commercial viability.