2,449 research outputs found

    Local Author Book Talk: Meet D.M. Pulley author of The Dead Key

    No full text
    Local Author D.M. Pulley, author of The Dead Key. 2014 Winner — Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award — Grand Prize and Mystery & Thriller Fiction Winner. It’s 1998, and for years the old First Bank of Cleveland has sat abandoned, perfectly preserved, its secrets only speculated on by the outside world.--Source Amazon.com These books and all Friends of the Library 2021/2022 book selections are on sale at Viking Outfitters, located in the CSU Student Center

    Canceled: Local Author Book Talk: Meet D.M. Pulley author of The Dead Key

    No full text
    This event has been canceled due to the Coronavirus. Meet Local Author D.M. Pulley, author of The Dead Key. 2014 Winner — Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award — Grand Prize and Mystery & Thriller Fiction Winner. It’s 1998, and for years the old First Bank of Cleveland has sat abandoned, perfectly preserved, its secrets only speculated on by the outside world.--Source Amazon.com The books titled The Dead Key, No one’s Home, Unclaimed Victim, and The Buried Book will be available for sale by Viking Outfitters at the event. These books and all Friends of the Library 2019/2020 book selections are on sale at Viking Outfitters, located in the CSU Student Center

    Water vapour transmission in butadiene-MMA-methacrylic acid latex films

    No full text
    Batch emulsion copolymerizations of butadiene, methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylic acid (MAA) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate were performed in RCle reactor, and the product vulcanized to form a film typical of those used for barrier products (gloves and condoms). The water vapour transmission (WVT) or breathability and physical properties (such as tensile strength and elongation at break) of the films were measured. Factorial design was used to vary the concentration of monomers in the copolymerizations. Methacrylic acid is a hydrophilic monomer and its distribution in or on the particles would be expected to affect WVT. Characterization by ultracentrifugation, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy showed that most of the methacrylic acid units were buried inside the particles. This appears to be responsible for a relatively low WVT rate, probably due to the absence of hydrophilic (MAA-rich) domains inside the film. When centrifuged, the latex shows two particle-containing layers; characterization of the latex revealed the presence of MMA-rich domains in one layer, probably arising from secondary particle formation late in the polymerization. The butadiene-to-MMA ratio probably dominates tensile strength through vulcanization with sulfur. The elongation at break was independent of both the butadiene-to-MMA ratio and the MAA concentration over the range studied (ascribed to competing effects), but dependent upon the total crosslinker concentration. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

    PK/PD modelling of comb-shaped PEGylated salmon calcitonin conjugates of differing molecular weights

    No full text
    Salmon calcitonin (sCT) was conjugated via cysteine-1 to novel comb-shaped end-functionalised (poly(PEG) methyl ether methacrylate) (sCT-P) polymers, to yield conjugates of total molecular weights (MW) inclusive of sCT: 6.5, 9.5, 23 and 40 kDa. The conjugates were characterised by HPLC and their in vitro and in vivo bioactivity was measured by cAMP assay on human T47D cells and following intravenous (i.v.) injection to rats, respectively. Stability against endopeptidases, rat serum and liver homogenates was assessed. There were linear and exponential relationships between conjugate MW with potency and efficacy respectively, however the largest MW conjugate still retained 70% of Emax and an EC50 of 3.7 nM. In vivo, while free sCT and the conjugates reduced serum [calcium] to a maximum of 15–30% over 240 min, the half-life (T1/2) was increased and the area under the curve (AUC) was extended in proportion to conjugate MW. Likewise, the polymer conferred protection on sCT against attack by trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, rat serum and liver homogenates, with the best protection afforded by sCT-P (40 kDa). Mathematical modelling accurately predicted the MW relationships to in vitro efficacy, potency, in vivo PK and enzymatic stability. With a significant increase in T1/2 for sCT, the 40 kDa MW comb-shaped PEG conjugate of sCT may have potential as a long-acting injectable formulation

    Gas barrier polymer nanocomposite films prepared by graphene oxide encapsulated polystyrene microparticles

    No full text
    The dispersion and orientation of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic nanoplatelets in polymers are technical challenges faced in polymer nanocomposite manufacturing. This work demonstrates an effective way to facilitate the dispersion and orientation of graphene oxide (GO) nanoplatelets in a polymer matrix through encapsulating the polymer within a nanoplatelet shell. Briefly, few-layered GO nanoplatelets encapsulated polystyrene (PS) microparticles were synthesized by a Pickering suspension polymerization method. The synthesis conditions, morphologies, and barrier properties of the GO encapsulated PS spheres and the melt-compressed films are characterized. The addition of salt induces flocculation of GO onto the surface of the styrene monomer droplet, resulting in the formation of a multilayered GO shell as well as the sedimenting of the PS/GO particles during polymerization. The obtained GO encapsulated PS microspheres were purified, dried, and melt-compressed to form composite films. The oxygen permeability (expressed as transmission rate) of the PS/GO composite film containing 2 wt % GO was 526.02 ± 55.78 cm3 m–2 24 h–1—a reduction of 96% relative to the PS control film and 34% lower than the solution mixed PS/GO composite film. This indicates that the encapsulated PS spheres act as an effective carrier to facilitate the dispersion of GO. The orientation was realized by the following melt-compression process, which creates tortuous pathways hindering the permeation of gases through the PS matrix

    Light switchable coatings

    No full text

    Fluorescently tagged star polymers by living radical polymerisation for mucoadhesion and bioadhesion

    No full text
    The synthesis of 3-, 5- and 8-arm dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate star polymers are reported, final Mn (PDI) = 12.2 K (1.09), 18.9K (1.10) and 38.4 K (1.11), respectively. The synthesis of 3-arm methyl methacrylate and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate block co-polymer stars is also described. Living polymerisation occurred in all cases providing well defined stars with predictable molecular weights and narrow polydispersity. A fluorescent tag, 2-(8-methacryloyloy-3,6-dioxaoctyl)thioxantheno[2,1,9-dej]isoquinoline-1,3-dione, derived from a commercially available pigment, was incorporated into the star polymers. The fluorescence spectra of the polymers prepared were recorded over a range of pH and the peak emission frequency and intensity have been reported, λex = 462 nm. All of the multi-arm polymers exhibit fluorescence across a broad pH range with maximum emission at pH 4. A 3-arm star polymer has been demonstrated to show good bioadhesion in rat tissue. A reduced adhesion in epithelial tissues not covered by a viscoelastic mucus gel indicates an increased tendency for mucoadhesion over bioadhesion.We thank Clariant for the kind donation of the hostasol precursor and Genzyme for part funding this work. D.M. Haddleton would also like to thank Professor John Ebdon for all of his encouragement and support throughout his academic career

    Gender differences in self-reported late effects, quality of life and satisfaction with clinic in survivors of lymphoma

    No full text
    Objectives: gender differences in perceived vulnerability to late effects and views about follow-up among cancer survivors have received little attention. As lymphoma affects both genders similarly, we compared the consequences of cancer (late effects, perceived vulnerability and quality of life (health-related quality of life (HRQoL)), and satisfaction with clinic visits between genders.Methods: a cohort of 115 younger adults (18–45 years, >5 years disease-free survival), who had been treated for lymphoma participated. Questionnaires (n = 91) were completed before and after (n = 62) routine consultant-led appointments. Survivors (n = 24) without appointments were recruited by post. Questionnaires included HRQoL, late effects, perceived vulnerability, issues survivors wanted to discuss and reported discussing in clinic, time waiting in clinic and consultation satisfaction.Results: there were no gender differences in number of self-reported late effects or perceived vulnerability. Men with more late effects reported worse psychological HRQoL (r = 0.50, p<0.001). While men wanted to discuss more topics than they did, women were able to discuss the topics they wanted (ANOVA, p = 0.01). Multiple regression analyses showed a shorter wait in clinic (r = ?0.46, p = 0.009) and discussing more topics (r = 0.34, p = 0.06) explained 30.6% of the variance in consultation satisfaction for men.Conclusions: issues surrounding follow-up provision are increasingly important given the length of survival in young adults following treatment for lymphoma. Men may experience poor psychological well-being due to distress about unanswered concerns. Consideration of their concerns should be prioritised, given that satisfaction and ultimately continued attendance at clinic and HRQoL may be dependent on the extent to which follow-up meets survivors' expectation

    Na-ca Exchange And Ca Fluxes During Contraction And Relaxation In Mammalian Ventricular Muscle

    No full text
    There are four cellular Ca transport systems which compete to remove Ca from the myoplasm in mammalian ventricular myocytes. These are 1) the SR Ca-ATPase, 2) the sarcolemmal Na-Ca exchange, 3) the sarcolemmal Ca-ATPase and 4) the mitochondrial Ca uniporter. Using multiple experimental approaches we have evaluated the dynamic interaction of these systems during the normal cardiac contraction-relaxation cycle. The SR Ca-ATPase and Na-Ca exchange are clearly the most important, quantitatively; however, the relative roles vary in a species-dependent manner. In particular, the SR is much more strongly dominant in rat ventricular myocytes, where ~ 92% of Ca removal is via SR Ca-ATPase and only 7% via Na-Ca exchange during a twitch. In other species (rabbit, ferret, cat, and guinea pig) the balance is more in the range of 70% SR Ca-ATPase and 25-30% Na-Ca exchange. Ferret ventricular myocytes also exhibit an unusually strong sarcolemmal Ca-ATPase. During the steady state the same amount of Ca must leave the cell as enters over a cardiac cycle. This implies that 25-30% of the Ca required to activate contraction must enter the cell, and experiments demonstrate that this amount of Ca may be supplied by the L-type Ca current.779430442Bers, D.M., (1991) Excitation-Contraction Coupling and Cardiac Contractile Force, pp. 1-258. , (Single author monograph.) Kluwer Academic Press. Dordrecht, NetherlandsSutko, J.L., Willerson, J.T., Ryanodine alteration of the contractile state of rat ventricular myocardium. Comparison with dog, cat and rabbit ventricular tissues (1980) Circ. Res., 46, pp. 332-343Bers, D.M., Ca influx and SR Ca release in cardiac muscle activation during postrest recovery (1985) Am. J. Physiol., 248, pp. H366-H381Bers, D.M., Mechanisms contributing to the cardiac inotropic effect of Na-pump inhibition and reduction of extracellular Na (1987) J. Gen. Physiol., 90, pp. 479-504Bers, D.M., Christensen, D.M., Nguyen, T.X., Can Ca entry via Na-Ca exchange directly activate cardiac muscle contraction? (1988) J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol., 20, pp. 405-414Beuckelmann, D.J., Wier, W.G., Mechanism of release of calcium from sarcoplasmic reticulum of guinea pig cardiac cells (1988) J. Physiol., 405, pp. 233-255Fabiato, A., Time and calcium dependence of activation and inactivation of calcium-induced release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of a skinned canine cardiac Purkinje cell (1985) J. Gen. Physiol., 85, pp. 247-290Leblanc, N., Hume, J.R., Sodium current-induced release of calcium from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (1990) Science, 248, pp. 372-376Levi, A.J., Spitzer, K.W., Kohmoto, O., Bridge, J.H.B., Depolarization-induced Ca entry via Na-Ca exchange triggers SR release in guinea pig cardiac myocytes (1994) Am. J. Physiol., 266, pp. H1422-H1433Kohmoto, O., Levi, A.J., Bridge, J.H.B., Relation between reverse sodium-calcium exchange and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release in guinea pig ventricular cells (1994) Circ. Res., 74, pp. 550-554Bassani, R.A., Bassani, J.W.M., Bers, D.M., Mitochondrial and sarcolemmal Ca transport can reduce [Ca]i during caffeine contractures in rabbit cardiac myocytes (1992) J. Physiol., 453, pp. 591-608Bassani, J.W.M., Bassani, R.A., Bers, D.M., Relaxation in rabbit and rat cardiac cells: Species-dependent differences in cellular mechanisms (1994) J. Physiol., 476, pp. 279-293Bassani, R.A., Bassani, J.W.M., Bers, D.M., Relaxation in ferret ventricular myocytes: Unusual interplay among calcium transport systems (1994) J. Physiol., 476, pp. 295-308Bers, D.M., Bridge, J.H.B., Relaxation of rabbit ventricular muscle by Na-Ca exchange and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-pump: Ryanodine and voltage sensitivity (1989) Circ. Res., 65, pp. 334-342Bridge, J.H.B., Relationships between the sarcoplasmic reticulum and transarcolemmal Ca transport revealed by rapidly cooling rabbit ventricular muscle (1986) J. Gen. Physiol., 88, pp. 437-473Bers, D.M., Bridge, J.H.B., Spitzer, K.W., Intracellular Ca transients during rapid cooling contractures in guinea-pig ventricular myocytes (1989) J. Physiol., 417, pp. 537-553Bers, D.M., Lederer, W.J., Berlin, J.R., Intracellular Ca transients in rat cardiac myocytes: Role of Na/Ca exchange in excitation-contraction coupling (1990) Am. J. Physiol., 258, pp. C944-C954Hryshko, L.V., Stiffel, V.M., Bers, D.M., Rapid cooling contractures as an index of SR Ca content in rabbit ventricular myocyte (1989) Am. J. Physiol., 257, pp. H1369-H1377Hove-Madsen, L., Bers, D.M., SR Ca uptake and thapsigargin sensitivity in permeabilized rabbit and rat ventricular myocytes (1993) Cir. Res., 73, pp. 820-828Bassani, J.W.M., Bassani, R.A., Bers, D.M., Twitch-dependent SR Ca accumulation and release in rabbit ventricular myocytes (1993) Am. J. Physiol., 265, pp. C533-C540Bassani, R.A., Bers, D.M., Rate of diastolic Ca release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of intact rabbit and rat ventricular myocytes (1995) Biophys. J., 68, pp. 2015-2022Bassani, J.W.M., Yuan, W., Bers, D.M., Fractional SR Ca release is altered by trigger Ca and SR Ca content in cardiac myocytes (1995) Am. J. Physiol., 268, pp. 1313-1319Gatto, C., Milanick, M.A., Inhibition of the red blood cell calcium pump by eosin and other fluorescein analogues (1993) Am. J. Physiol., 264, pp. C1577-C1586Gatto, C., Hale, C.C., Milanick, M.A., Eosin, a potent inhibitor of the plasma membrane Ca pump, does not inhibit the cardiac Na-Ca exchanger (1995) Biochemistry, 34, pp. 965-972Bassani, R.A., Bassani, J.W.M., Bers, D.M., Relaxation in ferret ventricular myocytes: Role of the sarcolemmal Ca ATPase (1995) Pflüg. Arch., 430, pp. 573-579Hove-Madsen, L., Bers, D.M., Passive Ca buffering and SR Ca uptake in permeabilized rabbit ventricular myocytes (1993) Am. J. Physiol., 264, pp. C677-C686Negretti, N., O'Neill, S.C., Eisner, D.A., The relative contributions of different intracellular and sarcolemmal systems to relaxation in rat ventricular myocytes (1993) Cardiovasc. Res., 27, pp. 1826-1830Crespo, L.M., Grantham, C.J., Cannell, M.B., Kinetics, stoichiometry and role of the Na-Ca exchange mechanism in isolated cardiac myocytes (1990) Nature, 345, pp. 618-621Puglisi, J.L., Bassani, R.A., Bassani, J.W.M., Amin, J.N., Bers, D.M., Temperature and the relative contributions of Ca transport systems in cardiac myocyte relaxation (1996) Am. J. Physiol., , In pressDelbridge, L.M., Bassani, J.W.M., Bers, D.M., Steady-state twitch Ca fluxes and cytosolic Ca buffering in rabbit ventricular myocytes (1996) Am. J. Physiol., 39, pp. C192-C199Fabiato, A., Calcium-induced release of calcium from the cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (1983) Am. J. Physiol., 245, pp. C1-C1
    corecore