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Affinity-based solid-phase extraction (SPE) is an attractive low-cost sample preparation strategy for biomarker analysis. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as affinity sorbents offer unique opportunities for affinity SPE, due to their low manufacturing cost and high robustness. A limitation is the prediction of their affinity; therefore, screening of analyte recovery and specificity within a l

The implementation of an enhanced modelling approach for fibre-reinforced composites is presented which may, in addition to the directional dependency induced by the fibres, allow the capturing of the fibre-bending stiffness. The theoretical framework is based on the introduction of higher-order gradients of the motion function as additional arguments of the energy function such that size effects

Background and purpose — Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to evaluate results in orthopedic surgery. To enhance good responsiveness with a PROM, the minimally important change (MIC) should be established. MIC reflects the smallest measured change in score that is perceived as being relevant by the patients. We assessed MIC for the Self-reported Foot and Ankle Score (

Microfluidic techniques were applied to the separation of parasite and parasite-infected cells from blood to facilitate the detection of leishmaniasis, a disease representing a high burden in the developing world and for which new diagnostic tools are urgently needed. Leishmania mexicana promastigotes were successfully separated from red blood cells in a deterministic lateral displacement device.

The invention relates to hyperpolarised 13C-α-ketoisocaproate, its use as imaging agent, an imaging medium comprising hyperpolarised 13C-α-ketoisocaproate and methods of 13C-MR detection wherein such an imaging medium is used. Further, the invention relates to methods of producing hyperpolarised 13C-α-ketoisocaproate.

Hairy cell leukemia is an uncommon hematologic malignancy characterized by pancytopenia and marked susceptibility to infection. Tremendous progress in the management of patients with this disease has resulted in high response rates and improved survival, yet relapse and an appropriate approach to retreatment present continuing areas for research. The disease and its effective treatment are associa

This study describes the design of degenerate primers and their use for synthesis of full-length avian influenza A neuramindase (NA). Each reaction was performed using either two forward primers and one reverse primer, or one forward primer and one reverse primer. Both primer combinations had comparable amplification efficiencies for all NA subtypes (1-9). A total of 115 virus strains, including b

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. This study was undertaken to evaluate survival outcomes and changes of disease outcomes of CRC patients over the last decades.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of CRC patients in Christchurch was performed in four patient cohorts at 5 yearly intervals; 1993-94, 1998-99, 2004-05 and 2009. Data on cancer location, stage,

Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a promising biomarker for the development and severity of sepsis. To guide its use, it is important to understand the factors that could lead to false-positive or negative results, such as inappropriate release and inadequate clearance of HBP. HBP is presumably released only by neutrophils, and the organs responsible for its elimination are unknown. In this study,

In order to investigate the possible causes of premature thermal breakdown and performance degradation, several diagnostic techniques have been employed during the vertical tests of the Fine and Large Grain ESS Medium Beta prototypes cavities. The whole equipment, which includes second sound, fast thermometry, photodiode x ray detectors and external NaI scintillator and proportional counter, is he

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge during development from the vascular wall of the main embryonic arteries. The onset of circulation triggers several processes that provide critical external factors for HSC generation. Nevertheless, it is not fully understood how and when the onset of circulation affects HSC emergence. Here we show that in Ncx1−/− mouse embryos devoid of circulation the HSC l

Background. School health programs need to target all aspects of physical, psychological, and social well-being. Using a slightly modified version of the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist, we developed and conducted the first validation of the School Health Assessment Tool for Primary Schools (SHAT-PS). Method. The exploratory sequential mixed method was used in this study. In the first phase, scienti

The purpose of this perspective article is to critically explore the launch of the mission for 100 climate neutral cities in Europe. An overview of the mission approach in general is first presented, where key aspects and emerging critiques are identified. Second, key elements of the mission for 100 climate neutral cities in Europe are introduced along with some of its challenges and ambiguities.

Accuracy in MP2RAGE-based T1-mapping relies on knowledge of the imperfect inversion efficiency (finv) of the inversion pulse. Here we map the inversion efficiency of different adiabatic inversion pulses in human brain at 7T. We identified a mean finv=0.86, which is substantially lower than the finv=0.96 typically assumed in MP2RAGE. We further observed a lower finv in white matter (WM) than in the

The capacitive biosensor technology can be utilized for the analytical detection of a variety of different compounds. By employing the electrical double-layer principle, it is possible to detect very low concentrations of the target analyte due the methods inherent high sensitivity. This affinity-based capacitive biosensor is a powerful tool also for the analytical detection of low molecular weigh

In recent years there has been a great deal of discussion on the potential for a shift away from modernistic or technocratic approaches to decisionmaking on risk towards more open, inclusive, and deliberative approaches. The authors consider (a) the reasons why some companies have taken the first step in this transition by exploring the potential of more open and communicative approaches to enviro

Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) are products that have a short useful lifetime and are typically designed for single or limited uses followed by disposal. The disposable nature of FMCGs combined with ineffective waste recovery systems is causing global environmental problems. Various reusable packaging business models have emerged to tackle these problems; however, their influence is still low