Explore the vast range of titles available.

is a major opportunistic fungal pathogen. One of the most important virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of candidiasis is its ability to form biofilms. A key characteristic of biofilms is their resistance to antifungal agents. Due to significant morbidity and mortality rates related to biofilm-associated drug resistance, there is an urgency to develop novel nanotechnology-based approaches preventing biofilm-related infections. In this study, we report, for the first time, the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles by irradiating selenium pellets by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in liquid chitosan as a capping agent. Synergy of the fungicidal effect of selenium nanoparticles and chitosan was quantified by the combination index theorem of Chou-Talalay. This drug combination resulted in a potent fungicidal effect against a preformed biofilm in a dose-response manner. By advanced electron microscopy techniques, we documented the adhesive and permeabilizing properties of chitosan, therefore allowing selenium nanoparticles to enter as the cell wall of the yeast became disrupted and distorted. Most importantly, we demonstrated a potent quantitative synergistic effect when compounds such as selenium and chitosan are combined. These chitosan-stabilized selenium nanoparticles could be used for ex vivo applications such as sterilizers for surfaces and biomedical devices.

Nosocomial diseases are mainly caused by two common pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, which are becoming more and more resistant to conventional antibiotics. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly necessary to find other alternative treatments than commonly utilized drugs. A promising strategy is to use nanomaterials such as selenium nanoparticles. However, the ability to produce nanoparticles free of any contamination is very challenging, especially for nano-medical applications. This paper reports the successful synthesis of pure selenium nanoparticles by laser ablation in water and determines the minimal concentration required for ~50% inhibition of either E. coli or S. aureus after 24 hours to be at least ~50 ppm. Total inhibition of E. coli and S. aureus is expected to occur at 107±12 and 79±4 ppm, respectively. In this manner, this study reports for the first time an easy synthesis process for creating pure selenium to inhibit bacterial growth.

In this paper, we report a one-step, fast and ecofriendly synthesis of layered-structured MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) by pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL). The resultant MoS2 NS was used to construct TiO2–ZSM5–MoS2 nanocomposite. After impregnating ZSM5 structures with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), heterojunctions of MoS2 NS were made on the fabricated TiO2–ZSM5 by microwave treatment at high temperature and pressure. Formation of 2D and 3D structures of MoS2 was shown. Crystal structure, size and shape of the synthesized nanostructures were studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and microscopy techniques. Results of the structural analysis showed that the PLAL constructed MoS2 NSs mainly had a layered morphology several micrometers in size with horizontally and vertically aligned layers. The hexagonal crystalline structure of MoS2 NS, anatase TiO2 NPs and microcrystalline ZSM5 structures were determined by XRD, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis. Formation of MoS2 NS was further shown with Raman peaks at approximately 385.30 and 407.50 cm−1 corresponding to the E1 2 g and A1g vibrational modes of MoS2 NS. The PLAL synthesized MoS2 NS demonstrated broad absorption in the visible region. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2–ZSM5–MoS2 nanocomposite was tested with arsenite. TiO2–ZSM5–MoS2 nanocomposite exhibited approximately 100% arsenite photo-conversion to arsenate.

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) exhibit behavioral dysregulation, executive dysfunction, and atypical function in associated brain regions. Previous research shows early intervention mitigates these outcomes but corresponding brain changes were not studied. Given the Alert® Program for Self-Regulation improves behavioral regulation and executive function in children with FASD, we asked if this therapy also improves their neural functioning in associated regions. Twenty-one children with FASD aged 8–12 years were randomized to the Alert®-treatment (TXT; n = 10) or waitlist-control (WL; n = 11) conditions. They were assessed with a Go-NoGo functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigm before and after training or the wait-out period. Groups initially performed equivalently and showed no fMRI differences. At post-test, TXT outperformed WL on NoGo trials while fMRI in uncorrected results with a small-volume correction showed less activation in prefrontal, temporal, and cingulate regions. Groups also demonstrated different patterns of change over time reflecting reduced signal at post-test in selective prefrontal and parietal regions in TXT and increased in WL. In light of previous evidence indicating TXT at post-test perform similar to non-exposed children on the Go-NoGo fMRI paradigm, our findings suggest Alert® does improve functional integrity in the neural circuitry for behavioral regulation in children with FASD.

ABSTRACT IMPACT: My work is on the development of a novel tumor immunotherapy to treat various types of cancer OBJECTIVES/GOALS: As iNKT cells can have direct and indirect killing effects on tumor cells, we propose a novel strategy for activating iNKT cells, via a PLGA nanoparticle delivery platform, to promote anti-tumor immune responses. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles can be reproducibly loaded with an iNKT cell glycolipid agonist, alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), and a tumor associated antigen, ovalbumin (OVA). We then test our nanoP prophylactically and therapeutically against a murine model of melanoma, B16F10-OVA. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: These dual-loaded PLGA nanoparticles rapidly activate iNKT cells in vivo to produce IFNgamma. Furthermore, in an in vivo model of melanoma, using B16F10-OVA cells, both prophylactic and therapeutic administration of nanoparticles containing αGalCer and OVA led to decreased tumor cell growth and increased survival. We also show our nanoparticle therapy has synergistic potential with clinically used immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4, indicated by the significance increase in survival and lower tumor growth rate of ICB +nanoP treated mice compared to either ICB or nanoP alone. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: This novel delivery system provides a platform with tremendous potential to harness iNKT cells for cancer immunotherapy purposes against many cancer types.

The optical properties of human whole blood and blood plasma with and without Y 2 O 3 and Nd 3+ :Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles are characterized in the near infrared region at 808 nm using a double integrating sphere technique. Using experimentally measured quantities of diffuse reflectance and diffuse transmittance, a computational analysis was conducted utilizing the Kubelka-Munk, the Inverse Adding Doubling, and Magic Light Kubelka-Munk and Monte Carlo Methods to determine optical properties of the absorption and scattering coefficients. Room temperature absorption and emission spectra were also acquired of Nd 3+ :Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles elucidating their utility as biological markers. The emission spectra of Nd 3+ :Y 2 O 3 were taken by exciting the nanoparticles before and after entering the whole blood sample. The emission from the 4 F 3/2  →  4 I 11/2 manifold transition of Nd 3+ :Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles readily propagates through the blood sample at excitation of 808 nm and exhibits a shift in relative intensities of the peaks due to differences in scattering. At 808 nm, in both whole blood and plasma samples, a direct relationship was found with absorption coefficient and Y 2 O 3 nanoparticle concentration. Results for the whole blood indicate a small inverse relationship with Y 2 O 3 nanoparticle concentration and scattering coefficient and in contrast a direct relation for the plasma.

Children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) show deficits in verbal learning and spatial memory, as well as abnormal hippocampal development. The relationship between their memory and neuroanatomic impairments, however, has not been directly explored. Given that the hippocampus is integral for the synthesis and retrieval of learned information and is particularly vulnerable to the teratogenic effects of alcohol, we assessed whether reduced learning and recall abilities in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are associated with abnormal hippocampal volumes. Nineteen children with FASDs and 18 typically developing controls aged 9 to 15 years were assessed for verbal learning and verbal and spatial recall and underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. Images were analyzed for total intracranial volume and for right and left hippocampal volumes. Results revealed smaller left hippocampi and poorer verbal learning and verbal and spatial recall performance in children with FASDs than controls, as well as positive correlations between selective memory indices and hippocampal volumes only in the FASD group. Additionally, hippocampal volumes increased significantly with age in controls only, suggesting that PAE may be associated with long-term abnormalities in hippocampal development that may contribute to impaired verbal learning and verbal and spatial recall. (JINS, 2008, 14, 1022–1033.)

A magnetically controlled elastically driven electroporation phenomenon, or magneto-elasto-electroporation (MEEP), is discovered while studying the interactions between core-shell magnetoelectric nanoparticles (CSMEN) and biological cells in the presence of an a.c. magnetic field. In this paper we report the effect of MEEP observed via a series of in-vitro experiments using core (CoFe 2 O 4 )-shell (BaTiO 3 ) structured magnetoelectric nanoparticles and human epithelial cells (HEP2). The cell electroporation phenomenon and its correlation with the magnetic field modulated CSMEN are described in detail. The potential application of CSMEN in electroporation is confirmed by analyzing crystallographic phases, multiferroic properties of the fabricated CSMEN, influences of d.c. and a.c. magnetic fields on the CSMEN and cytotoxicity tests. The mathematical formalism to quantitatively describe the phenomena is also reported. The reported findings provide insights into the underlying MEEP mechanism and demonstrate the utility of CSMEN as an electric pulse-generating nano-probe in electroporation experiments with a potential application toward accurate and efficient targeted cell permeation.

In an ever-diversifying country, the landscape of the American classroom is shifting, requiring educational leaders and teachers to possess curriculum knowledge, cultural intelligence, and self-efficacy to understand students' cultural differences. This study aims to offer specific insights into four schools in the suburban Midwest working to improve the historically low achievement of Hispanic students. Utilizing a non-experimental correlational quantitative approach grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (Bandura, 1986) and Cultural Intelligence Theory (Earley & Ang, 2003), this study examined the relationship between Hispanic students' academic outcomes and individual cultural intelligence and collective teacher efficacy. The findings of this study have several practical implications for educational practice, especially in high-poverty schools serving diverse student populations. Fostering an environment that promotes continuous professional development in cultural intelligence is crucial. Although cultural intelligence was not found to have a statistically significant impact on student achievement in this study, the broader literature suggests its importance in culturally diverse settings. The weak yet positive correlation between collective teacher efficacy and student achievement highlights the need to build a strong, supportive school culture. This study contributes to the body of research on educational equity and provides practical insights for improving academic outcomes for Hispanic students.

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) show sociobehavioral impairments; however, the social cognitive profile contributing to these impairments is poorly understood. This study compared social perspective taking and empathy in children with FASD versus typically developing controls (TDC). Thirty-seven children with FASD and 21 TDC participated. Measures included parent-rated CBCL and SSIS, and NEPSY-II Theory of Mind, Test of Social Cognition and Index of Empathy. Parents rated the FASD group higher than TDC on indices of behavior problems and lower on indices of social skills and empathy. Children with FASD scored significantly below TDC on tasks requiring complex social cognition. The majority of correlations between social cognition and parent-ratings were not significant in FASD and TDC, with the exception of a negative correlation between self-reported empathy and parent-rated behavior difficulties in TDC. FASD subgroup analyses revealed lower theory of mind and empathy scores among children with ARND than pFAS/FAS. With regard to sex, males with FASD were rated as having more behavior difficulties than females, whereas TDC females obtained higher empathy ratings than males. In both groups, females scored higher on theory of mind and empathy indices. On theory of mind tasks, older children with FASD performed below younger, whereas younger TDC children performed more poorly than older. Children with FASD show reduced functioning on indices of sociobehavioral and social cognition, and the effects are influenced by sex and age. These findings provide insight into the clinical and social profile of children with FASD. (JINS, 2015, 21, 74–84)