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1.
Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao ; 43(4): 628-633, 2021 Aug.
Artigo em Chinês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34494536

RESUMO

Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with neuroinflammation,oxidative stress,and aging,which can lead to cognitive and motor dysfunctions.Recent studies suggest that the development of neurodegenerative diseases is related to adaptive immunity,in which CD4+T cells are involved as adaptive immune cells.Through different pathways,CD4+T cells differentiate into effector and regulatory subsets,which may have different effects on the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease,multiple sclerosis,and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Here,we review the role and research progress of CD4+T cells in neurodegenerative diseases.


Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Esclerose Lateral Amiotrófica , Doenças Neurodegenerativas , Doença de Parkinson , Humanos , Linfócitos T
2.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 45(12): 7432-7440, 2017 Jul 07.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28525600

RESUMO

RNase P is primarily responsible for the 5΄ maturation of transfer RNAs (tRNAs) in all domains of life. Archaeal RNase P is a ribonucleoprotein made up of one catalytic RNA and five protein cofactors including L7Ae, which is known to bind the kink-turn (K-turn), an RNA structural element that causes axial bending. However, the number and location of K-turns in archaeal RNase P RNAs (RPRs) are unclear. As part of an integrated approach, we used native mass spectrometry to assess the number of L7Ae copies that bound the RPR and site-specific hydroxyl radical-mediated footprinting to localize the K-turns. Mutagenesis of each of the putative K-turns singly or in combination decreased the number of bound L7Ae copies, and either eliminated or changed the L7Ae footprint on the mutant RPRs. In addition, our results support an unprecedented 'double K-turn' module in type A and type M archaeal RPR variants.


Assuntos
Proteínas Arqueais/química , Regulação da Expressão Gênica em Archaea , Methanocaldococcus/enzimologia , Pyrococcus furiosus/enzimologia , RNA Arqueal/química , RNA de Transferência/química , Ribonuclease P/química , Proteínas Arqueais/genética , Proteínas Arqueais/metabolismo , Sequência de Bases , Radical Hidroxila/química , Radical Hidroxila/metabolismo , Isoenzimas/química , Isoenzimas/genética , Isoenzimas/metabolismo , Methanocaldococcus/genética , Mathanococcus/enzimologia , Mathanococcus/genética , Mutação , Conformação de Ácido Nucleico , Ligação Proteica , Pyrococcus furiosus/genética , Precursores de RNA , RNA Arqueal/genética , RNA Arqueal/metabolismo , RNA de Transferência/genética , RNA de Transferência/metabolismo , Ribonuclease P/genética , Ribonuclease P/metabolismo
3.
Stem Cells ; 35(10): 2138-2149, 2017 10.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28710827

RESUMO

Both human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (ESC-CMs) and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs (iPSC-CMs) can serve as unlimited cell sources for cardiac regenerative therapy. However, the functional equivalency between human ESC-CMs and iPSC-CMs for cardiac regenerative therapy has not been demonstrated. Here, we performed a head-to-head comparison of ESC-CMs and iPSC-CMs in their ability to restore cardiac function in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model as well as their exosomal secretome. Human ESCs and iPSCs were differentiated into CMs using small molecule inhibitors. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis confirmed ∼85% and ∼83% of CMs differentiated from ESCs and iPSCs, respectively, were positive for cardiac troponin T. At a single-cell level, both cell types displayed similar calcium handling and electrophysiological properties, with gene expression comparable with the human fetal heart marked by striated sarcomeres. Sub-acute transplantation of ESC-CMs and iPSC-CMs into nude rats post-MI improved cardiac function, which was associated with increased expression of angiogenic genes in vitro following hypoxia. Profiling of exosomal microRNAs (miRs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) revealed that both groups contain an identical repertoire of miRs and lncRNAs, including some that are known to be cardioprotective. We demonstrate that both ESC-CMs and iPSC-CMs can facilitate comparable cardiac repair. This is advantageous because, unlike allogeneic ESC-CMs used in therapy, autologous iPSC-CMs could potentially avoid immune rejection when used for cardiac cell transplantation in the future. Stem Cells 2017;35:2138-2149.


Assuntos
Células-Tronco Embrionárias Humanas/metabolismo , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/metabolismo , Miócitos Cardíacos/metabolismo , Diferenciação Celular , Células Cultivadas , Exossomos , Humanos
4.
Virus Genes ; 54(1): 41-47, 2018 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29119303

RESUMO

The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of drug-resistant HBV mutants in patients with treatment failure during the past seven years (2010-2016). 4055 HBV-infected patients who underwent HBV polymerase gene mutation test from 2010 to 2016 were enrolled. The nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) resistance mutation positions, including rtL180, rtA181, rtT184, rtS202, rtM204, rtI233, rtN236, rtI169, rtV173, and rtM250 were analyzed. Genotypic resistance mutations were detected in 30.8% (1248/4055) of the patients with treatment failure. Rates of drug-resistant mutations associated with LAM, ADV, ETV, and multidrug were 27.23% (1104/4055), 9.67% (392/4055), 3.69% (150/4055), and 0.79% (32/4055). Among the primary NA-resistant mutations, rtM204I (13.44%, 545/4055) occurred more frequently, followed by rtM204V, rtN236T, rtA181T, and rtA181V. For single-base mutations, rtL180M and rtA181V increased gradually during the past seven years, while rtM204I/V and rtN236T decreased after 2015. The development of drug-resistant mutations positively correlated with the consumption of ETV (r = 0.964, P = 0.002), and weakly correlated with that of LAM (r = 0.679, P = 0.109) and ADV (r = 0.429, P = 0.354). Moreover, single-base mutation rtA181V and multi-base mutations (rtL180M + M204I and rtL180M + M204V + M204I) were more common in HBV genotype C than those in genotype B (1.94% vs. 0.66%, 1.84% vs. 0.16%, 1.02% vs. 0.16%, respectively). NA-related mutations in HBV RT region increased in the past seven years, especially for LAM. Frequencies of rtL180M and rtA181T/V increased gradually in the past seven years, to which we should pay more attention.


Assuntos
Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Farmacorresistência Viral , Evolução Molecular , Vírus da Hepatite B/efeitos dos fármacos , Vírus da Hepatite B/genética , Hepatite B Crônica/tratamento farmacológico , Hepatite B Crônica/virologia , Frequência do Gene , Genoma Viral , Vírus da Hepatite B/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , Mutação , Falha de Tratamento
5.
Circulation ; 132(8): 762-771, 2015 Aug 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26304668

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are attractive candidates for therapeutic use, with the potential to replace deficient cells and to improve functional recovery in injury or disease settings. Here, we test the hypothesis that human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) can secrete cytokines as a molecular basis to attenuate adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Human iPSCs were generated from skin fibroblasts and differentiated in vitro with a small molecule-based protocol. Troponin(+) iPSC-CMs were confirmed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and electrophysiological measurements. Afterward, 2×10(6) iPSC-CMs derived from a cell line transduced with a vector expressing firefly luciferase and green fluorescent protein were transplanted into adult NOD/SCID mice with acute left anterior descending artery ligation. Control animals received PBS injection. Bioluminescence imaging showed limited engraftment on transplantation into ischemic myocardium. However, magnetic resonance imaging of animals transplanted with iPSC-CMs showed significant functional improvement and attenuated cardiac remodeling compared with PBS-treated control animals. To understand the underlying molecular mechanism, microfluidic single-cell profiling of harvested iPSC-CMs, laser capture microdissection of host myocardium, and in vitro ischemia stimulation were used to demonstrate that the iPSC-CMs could release significant levels of proangiogenic and antiapoptotic factors in the ischemic microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS: Transplantation of human iPSC-CMs into an acute mouse myocardial infarction model can improve left ventricular function and attenuate cardiac remodeling. Because of limited engraftment, most of the effects are possibly explained by paracrine activity of these cells.


Assuntos
Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/fisiologia , Microfluídica/métodos , Infarto do Miocárdio/terapia , Miócitos Cardíacos/fisiologia , Análise de Célula Única/métodos , Transplante de Células-Tronco , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Feminino , Humanos , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/transplante , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos NOD , Camundongos SCID , Infarto do Miocárdio/patologia , Distribuição Aleatória
6.
Qual Life Res ; 24(3): 685-91, 2015 Mar.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25150709

RESUMO

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting institutionalized older peoples' self-perceived dry mouth. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on elderly residents at 22 long-term care facilities. A total of 165 questionnaires were returned from 13 senior citizen welfare institutions (SCWIs) and nine nursing homes. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data obtained. RESULTS: The results showed that the type of long-term care (LTC) facility, regular oral examinations, wearing dentures, and the ability to chew sticky foods affected self-perceived dry mouth. This study determined an association between the type of LTC facility where the participants lived and self-perceived dry mouth. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated the importance of providing oral care in order to improve and prevent dry mouth among institutionalized older people living in SCWIs who do not undergo regular oral examinations, wear dentures, and have difficulty chewing sticky foods.


Assuntos
Nível de Saúde , Casas de Saúde , Autocuidado , Autorrelato , Xerostomia/etiologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estudos Transversais , Dentaduras , Diagnóstico Bucal , Feminino , Humanos , Assistência de Longa Duração , Masculino , Mastigação , Qualidade de Vida , Inquéritos e Questionários
7.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 40(10): 4666-80, 2012 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22298511

RESUMO

RNase P, which catalyzes tRNA 5'-maturation, typically comprises a catalytic RNase P RNA (RPR) and a varying number of RNase P proteins (RPPs): 1 in bacteria, at least 4 in archaea and 9 in eukarya. The four archaeal RPPs have eukaryotic homologs and function as heterodimers (POP5•RPP30 and RPP21•RPP29). By studying the archaeal Methanocaldococcus jannaschii RPR's cis cleavage of precursor tRNA(Gln) (pre-tRNA(Gln)), which lacks certain consensus structures/sequences needed for substrate recognition, we demonstrate that RPP21•RPP29 and POP5•RPP30 can rescue the RPR's mis-cleavage tendency independently by 4-fold and together by 25-fold, suggesting that they operate by distinct mechanisms. This synergistic and preferential shift toward correct cleavage results from the ability of archaeal RPPs to selectively increase the RPR's apparent rate of correct cleavage by 11,140-fold, compared to only 480-fold for mis-cleavage. Moreover, POP5•RPP30, like the bacterial RPP, helps normalize the RPR's rates of cleavage of non-consensus and consensus pre-tRNAs. We also show that archaeal and eukaryal RNase P, compared to their bacterial relatives, exhibit higher fidelity of 5'-maturation of pre-tRNA(Gln) and some of its mutant derivatives. Our results suggest that protein-rich RNase P variants might have evolved to support flexibility in substrate recognition while catalyzing efficient, high-fidelity 5'-processing.


Assuntos
Archaea/enzimologia , Proteínas Arqueais/metabolismo , Processamento Pós-Transcricional do RNA , RNA de Transferência de Glutamina/metabolismo , Ribonuclease P/metabolismo , Bactérias/enzimologia , Eucariotos/enzimologia , Conformação de Ácido Nucleico , Clivagem do RNA , Precursores de RNA/química , Precursores de RNA/metabolismo , RNA Arqueal/química , RNA Arqueal/metabolismo , RNA de Transferência de Glutamina/química
8.
Geriatr Nurs ; 35(2): 114-9, 2014.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24321836

RESUMO

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various job stressors and health-related quality of life among female nursing assistants working in long-term care facilities. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Taiwan. Data were collected using a structured, well-designed, pre-tested questionnaire with background questions and questions about job stressors and health-related quality of life as measured by SF-12. Our empirical results show that nursing assistants with higher scores for job control and work-related social support tend to enjoy better mental health, as indicated by higher mental component summary scores. Additionally, nursing assistants with higher psychological demand scores tend to have worse overall health, as indicated by lower physical component summary and mental component summary scores. We suggest reducing selected job stressors and enhancing job control to improve nursing assistants' health-related quality of life.


Assuntos
Assistentes de Enfermagem/psicologia , Qualidade de Vida , Estresse Psicológico , Adulto , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Taiwan
9.
Heliyon ; 10(5): e26544, 2024 Mar 15.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38463785

RESUMO

The Easterlin paradox illuminates the counter-intuitive finding that happiness is unlikely to increase with economic growth over time. This study investigates the income-happiness relationship through the concept of ß convergence (i.e., the catch-up effect). To this end, we first employed the KPSS panel unit root tests to reveal the time-varying patterns in convergences between the happiness index and real GDP per capita. Then, we conducted analyses of contingency for the linkage between the happiness catch-up and income catch-up effects via estimation using the random coefficient logit model. The data used in this study were obtained from World Database of Happiness and World Development Indicators Database. Our results indicate that both the happiness index and real GDP per capita in selected European countries exhibited signs of catch-up with their benchmark countries over the period of 1975-2020. The average income catch-up effect (generated from group mean of all individual effects) positively impacted the social harmonization of well-being (i.e., the average happiness catch-up effect). Since economic growth is the major force driving the income catch-up effect, the positive linkage between happiness and income catch-up effects provides solid proof of the beneficial effect of economic growth on the social harmonization of well-being.

10.
Risk Manag Healthc Policy ; 17: 1725-1743, 2024.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38953037

RESUMO

Purpose: This study investigates the influence of demographic changes on the effectiveness of hospital nurse staffing policy, measured by the cumulative response of inpatient care quality to adjustments in hospital nurse staffing levels in Taiwan. Methods: The research design utilized in this study aligns with the observational time-series methodology, and a total of 99 monthly time-series observations were collected from multiple databases administered by the Taiwan government over the period from January 2015 to March 2023. Specifically, the time-varying parameter vector autoregressive and autoregressive distributed lag models were employed to investigate the association between age distribution and nurse staffing policy effectiveness. Results: The time-varying impulse responses of the unplanned 14-day readmission rate after discharge to changes in nurse staffing levels indicate a positive association between patient-to-nurse ratios and unplanned 14-day readmission rates across various types of hospitals. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of hospitals' nurse staffing policy is observed to diminish with population aging, particularly evident in medical centers and regional hospitals. Conclusion: Policymakers should establish lower mandated patient-to-nurse ratios, grounded in practical nurse workforce planning, to address the needs of an aging society and enhance inpatient care quality through improved nurse staffing in hospitals.

11.
Anal Methods ; 16(14): 2093-2100, 2024 Apr 04.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38511993

RESUMO

A novel hybrid composite integrating conductive poly-3-methoxythiophene and PCN-222(Fe) (porphyrin-metal-organic frameworks) was synthesized using an in situ polymerization strategy. Leveraging the large specific area of MOFs and the low electrical resistance of conductive polymers, the modified electrode proved to be a promising candidate for the electrochemical detection of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde. The electrocatalytic response was measured using differential pulse voltammetry techniques and cyclic voltammetry, where the linear concentration range of analyte detection was estimated to be 0-900 µM and the detection limit was 0.233 µM with high selectivity toward the analyte. The sensor demonstrated repeatability and stability, allowing the direct electroanalytical measurement of 4-nitrobenzaldehyde in real samples with reliable recovery. This methodology expands the application of porphyrin MOFs for the electroanalytical sensing of environmental contaminants.

12.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 266(Pt 1): 131178, 2024 May.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38554905

RESUMO

Although adsorbents are good candidates for removing phosphorus and heavy metals from wastewater, the use of biosorbents for the sequential treatment of phosphorus and copper has not yet been studied. Porous chitosan (CS)-based biosorbents (CGBs) were developed to adsorb phytic acid (PA), a major form of organic phosphate. This first adsorbate (PA) further served as an additional ligand (P-type ligand) for the CGBs (N-type ligand) to form a complex with the second adsorbate (copper). After the adsorption of PA (the first adsorbate), the spent CGBs were recycled and used as a new adsorbent to adsorb Cu(II) ions (the second adsorbate), which was expected to have a dual coordination effect through P, N-ligand complexation with copper. The interactions and complexation between CS, PA and Cu(II) ions on the PA-adsorbed CGBs (PACGBs) were investigated by performing FTIR, XPS, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses. The PACGBs exhibited fast and enhanced adsorption of Cu(II) ions, owing to the synergistic effect of the amino groups of CS (the original ligand, N-type) and the phosphate groups of PA (an additional ligand, P-type) on the adsorption of Cu(II) ions. This is the first time that sequential removal of phosphorus and heavy metals by biosorbents has been performed using biosorbents.


Assuntos
Quitosana , Cobre , Fosfatos , Purificação da Água , Quitosana/química , Cobre/química , Cobre/isolamento & purificação , Adsorção , Fosfatos/química , Fosfatos/isolamento & purificação , Purificação da Água/métodos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/isolamento & purificação , Íons/química , Águas Residuárias/química , Ácido Fítico/química
13.
Int J Health Care Finance Econ ; 13(3-4): 279-300, 2013 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24037490

RESUMO

This study investigated the convergence of healthcare financing across eight OECD countries during 1960-2009 for the first time. The panel stationary test incorporating both shapes of multiple structural breaks (i.e., sharp drifts and smooth transition shifts) and cross-sectional dependence was used to provide reliable evidence of convergence in healthcare financing. Our results suggested that the public share of total healthcare financing in eight OECD countries has exhibited signs of convergence towards that of the US. The convergence of healthcare financing not only reflected a decline in the share of public healthcare financing in these eight OECD countries but also exhibited an upward trend in the share of public healthcare financing in the US over the period of 1960-2009.


Assuntos
Países Desenvolvidos , Financiamento Governamental/tendências , Setor de Assistência à Saúde/economia , Financiamento da Assistência à Saúde , Pesquisa Empírica , Gastos em Saúde/tendências , Modelos Estatísticos
14.
Risk Manag Healthc Policy ; 16: 2291-2307, 2023.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37953809

RESUMO

Purpose: When examining the nexus of physician mental health disorders and healthcare quality from the empirical perspective, mental health disorders are frequently associated with cyclical patterns corresponding to cyclic seasonality, mood swings, emission of air pollution and business cycles, the potential asymmetric effects of physician mental health disorders on healthcare quality have not received adequate attention from researchers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore the asymmetric relationship between physician mental health disorders and healthcare quality during the pandemic outbreak in Taiwan. Methods: Daily data for care quality indicators and physician mental health disorders were collected from the National Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, and the quantile-on-quantile regression model was applied to proceed with our analyses. Results: Our results indicated that the overall aggregate effects of each quantile of physician mental health disorders on the cumulative quantiles of healthcare quality are negative (positive) for the 14-day readmission rate (preventable hospitalization rate and non-urgent ED-visit rate). Positively (negatively) cumulative effects of each quantile of physician mental health disorders were detected in the middle (low and high) quantiles of the preventable hospitalization rate. The cumulative effects of each quantile of physician mental health disorders on the high (low and middle) quantiles of the 14-day readmission rate are negative (positive), but the cumulative effects on various quantiles of the non-urgent ED-visit rate exhibit the opposite pattern. Conclusion: The observed variation in the relationship between physician mental health disorders and different quantiles of healthcare quality suggests the need for tailored strategic interventions based on distinct levels of healthcare quality when addressing the higher risk of physician mental health disorders during the pandemic outbreak conditions.

15.
Discov Med ; 35(176): 405-417, 2023 06.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37272107

RESUMO

OBJECTIVES: Over the past two decades, great progress has been made in advancing the early detection and multimodal treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, overall cure rates and survival rates of NSCLC are still not satisfactory, and research into new therapies is needed. This study attempted to construct human Fibroblast Activation Protein-Chimeric Antigen Receptor Natural killer (NK)-92 cells (hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells) and explore their potential therapeutic effects in NSCLC. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry analysis was carried out to examine fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and Gasdermin E (GSDME) expression in clinical specimens of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma tissue. Then the engineered hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells efficiency was determined in vitro with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay and the cell morphology of A549, H226, and cancer-related fibroblast (CAF) was observed by electron microscopy. After the co-culture of target cells and effect cells, flow cytometry was employed for examining the CD107a expression in the effect cells, and western blotting was conducted for the cleavage levels of Caspase 3 and GSDME proteins in the target cells. The safety and efficacy of hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells adoptive transfer immunotherapy in a tumor-bearing mouse were evaluated. RESULTS: Clinical studies have shown FAP positivity in patients with NSCLC. Compared with A549 or H226 cells alone, FAP expression was notably raised in A549+CAF cells or H226+CAF cells in nude mice, respectively (p < 0.05). The killing efficiency of K562 cells was not significantly different between hFAP-CAR-NK-92 and NK-92 cells (p > 0.05). The hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells presented a higher killing efficiency against the hFAP-target (A549-hFAP, H226-hFAP and CAF-hFAP) cells than the NK-92 cells (p < 0.05). The degranulation of CD107a and cleavage levels of GSDME and Caspase 3 protein in the hFAP-CAR-NK-92 group were higher than those in the NK-92 group (p < 0.05). The 300 nM Granzyme B also induced pyroptosis in hFAP- or GSDME-positive cells (p < 0.05). In vivo experiments revealed that hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells inhibited tumor progression of hFAP-positive NSCLC (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we successfully constructed hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells and confirmed that hFAP-CAR-NK-92 cells could target hFAP-positive NSCLC to inhibit the progression of NSCLC by activating the Caspase-3/GSDME pyroptosis pathway.


Assuntos
Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Receptores de Antígenos Quiméricos , Humanos , Animais , Camundongos , Receptores de Antígenos Quiméricos/metabolismo , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/terapia , Caspase 3/metabolismo , Camundongos Nus , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Neoplasias Pulmonares/terapia , Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Imunoterapia Adotiva
16.
Nucleic Acids Res ; 38(22): 8316-27, 2010 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20705647

RESUMO

RNase P catalyzes the Mg(2)(+)-dependent 5'-maturation of precursor tRNAs. Biochemical studies on the bacterial holoenzyme, composed of one catalytic RNase P RNA (RPR) and one RNase P protein (RPP), have helped understand the pleiotropic roles (including substrate/Mg(2+) binding) by which a protein could facilitate RNA catalysis. As a model for uncovering the functional coordination among multiple proteins that aid an RNA catalyst, we use archaeal RNase P, which comprises one catalytic RPR and at least four RPPs. Exploiting our previous finding that these archaeal RPPs function as two binary RPP complexes (POP5•RPP30 and RPP21•RPP29), we prepared recombinant RPP pairs from three archaea and established interchangeability of subunits through homologous/heterologous assemblies. Our finding that archaeal POP5•RPP30 reconstituted with bacterial and organellar RPRs suggests functional overlap of this binary complex with the bacterial RPP and highlights their shared recognition of a phylogenetically-conserved RPR catalytic core, whose minimal attributes we further defined through deletion mutagenesis. Moreover, single-turnover kinetic studies revealed that while POP5•RPP30 is solely responsible for enhancing the RPR's rate of precursor tRNA cleavage (by 60-fold), RPP21•RPP29 contributes to increased substrate affinity (by 16-fold). Collectively, these studies provide new perspectives on the functioning and evolution of an ancient, catalytic ribonucleoprotein.


Assuntos
Proteínas Arqueais/metabolismo , Subunidades Proteicas/metabolismo , Ribonuclease P/metabolismo , Archaea/enzimologia , Proteínas Arqueais/química , Proteínas Arqueais/isolamento & purificação , Biocatálise , Cinética , Mutagênese , Subunidades Proteicas/química , Subunidades Proteicas/isolamento & purificação , Precursores de RNA/metabolismo , RNA de Transferência/metabolismo , Ribonuclease P/química , Ribonuclease P/isolamento & purificação
17.
BMC Health Serv Res ; 12: 44, 2012 Feb 20.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22348278

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Studies over the past decades have shown an association between nurse staffing and patient outcomes, however, most of these studies were conducted in the West. Accordingly, the purpose of this study aimed to provide an overview of the research/evidence base which has clarified the relationship between nurse staffing and patient mortality of acute care hospital wards under a universal health insurance system and attempted to provide explanations for some of the phenomena that are unique in Taiwan. METHODS: Through stratified random sampling, a total of 108 wards selected from 32 hospitals in Taiwan were collected over a consecutive seven month period. The mixed effect logit model was used to explore the relationship between nurse staffing and patient mortality. RESULTS: The medians of direct-nursing-care-hour, and nurse manpower were 2.52 h, and 378 persons, respectively. The OR for death between the long direct-nursing-care-hour (> median) group and the short direct-nursing-care-hour (≦median) group was 0.393 (95% CI = [0.245, 0.617]). The OR for death between the high (> median) and the low (≦median) nurse manpower groups was 0.589 (95% CI = [0.381, 0.911]). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study demonstrate an association of nurse staffing and patient mortality and are consistent with findings from similar studies. These findings have policy implications for strengthening the nursing profession, nurse staffing, and the hospital quality associated with nursing. Additional research is necessary to demonstrate adequate nurse staffing ratios of different wards in Taiwan.


Assuntos
Mortalidade Hospitalar , Cuidados de Enfermagem/estatística & dados numéricos , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar/provisão & distribuição , Admissão e Escalonamento de Pessoal/estatística & dados numéricos , Controle de Custos/métodos , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Estudos Longitudinais , Recursos Humanos de Enfermagem Hospitalar/economia , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Admissão e Escalonamento de Pessoal/economia , Admissão e Escalonamento de Pessoal/normas , Medicina Estatal/economia , Taiwan/epidemiologia , Fatores de Tempo , Cobertura Universal do Seguro de Saúde
18.
Small Methods ; 6(2): e2101235, 2022 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34989165

RESUMO

Owing to the free of noise, mechanical component, working fluid, and chemical reaction, thermoelectric cooling is regarded as a suitable solution to address the greenhouse emission for the broad cooling scenarios. Here, the significant progress of state-of-the-art thermoelectric coolers is comprehensively summarized and the related aspects of materials, fundamental design, heat sinks, and structures, are overviewed. Particularly, the usage of thermoelectric coolers in smart city, greenhouse, and personal and chip thermal management is highlighted. In the end, current challenges and future opportunities for further improvement of designs, performance, and applications of thermoelectric coolers are pointed out.

19.
Healthcare (Basel) ; 10(6)2022 May 24.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35742021

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: The Taiwanese government implemented a stay-at-home order that restricted all community-based health promotion activities for the elderly by shutting down all community care centers from May 2021 to August 2021 to control the spread of COVID-19. Community-based dementia care centers were barely able to provide dementia care services during that period. METHODS: The data used in this study were collected from a community-based dementia care center that was able to continue their dementia care services through a Tele-Health intervention program. The difference-in-differences methodology was applied to evaluate the effects of the Tele-Health intervention program on home-dwelling persons with dementia or mild cognitive impairment and on their primary caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The Tele-Health intervention program significantly increased the well-being of the participants and their primary caregivers, but the negative correlations between the Tele-Health intervention program and family functioning were also found to be significant. CONCLUSIONS: The significant substitution (negative) effects between the Tele-Health intervention program and family functioning raises the concern that promotion of the Tele-Health intervention program comes at the potential cost of a loss of family functioning. Policymakers should be cautious when considering the Tele-Health intervention program in response to pandemics and demographic transitions.

20.
Anal Methods ; 14(40): 3961-3969, 2022 10 20.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36173377

RESUMO

Designing MOF-based materials with desired electrochemical activity and high electron conductivity may yield a novel electrochemical sensor that effectively detects various organic pollutants and conducts health monitoring. This study developed a facile and versatile electrochemical sensor for simultaneously monitoring the environmental pollutants hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT). The electrodes are fabricated by modifying a GCE with a Cu-functionalized MOF (UiO-bpydc-Cu) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The Cu-functionalized MOF effectively improved the electronic conductivity by metalating the 2,2'-bipyridyl-derived UiO-bpydc with Cu2+ ions. Moreover, due to the synergic effect, the composite electrode exhibits a significant voltammetric response to HQ's and CT's electro-redox. A rapid and sensitive method of synchronously detecting HQ and CT has been established by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The experiments reveal that the linear response ranges were 0.5-565 µM and 1-1350 µM for HQ and CT, respectively, with low detection limits of 0.361 µM and 0.245 µM. The proposed UiO-bpydc-Cu/MWCNTs/GCE electrochemical sensor shows high sensitivity, good anti-interference, reproducibility, and stability. It can also be applied for detecting HQ and CT in actual samples.


Assuntos
Poluentes Ambientais , Nanotubos de Carbono , Hidroquinonas/análise , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , 2,2'-Dipiridil , Eletrodos , Catecóis/análise
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