Copolymerization of N‐(prop‐1‐yne‐3‐yl)‐4‐(piperidine‐1‐yl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide with Arylacetylenes into Fluorescent Polyacetylene‐Type Conjugated Polymers

N‐(prop‐1‐yne‐3‐yl)‐4‐(piperidine‐1‐yl)‐1,8‐naphthalimide (PNPr), i.e., the monomer with a terminal ethynyl group and 1,8‐naphthalimide fluorophore, has been successfully copolymerized with a series of monoethynylarenes into well‐soluble high‐molecular‐weight (M_w up to 210 000) linear polyacetylene‐type copolymers containing from 14 to 51 mol% units derived from PNPr. The copolymerization of PNPr with bifunctional 4,4′‐diethynylbiphenyl provides polyacetylene‐type micro/mesoporous fluorescent network containing 8 mol% PNPr units and exhibiting the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface of ≈1000 m² g^?1. The copolymerizations (catalyzed with acetylacetonato(norborna‐2,5‐diene)rhodium complex, [Rh(nbd)acac]) proceed smoothly despite the fact that the homopolymerization of PNPr fails. The fluorescence of PNPr (emission at ≈ 510 nm) has been retained after the incorporation of PNPr into the copolymers. The fluorescence of the copolymers can be induced by a direct excitation of PNPr units or via an energy transfer mechanism. In the latter case, the comonomeric units with aromatic hydrocarbon fluorophores (e.g., of the biphenyl‐type) emitting at 380–400 nm (after irradiation with 300 nm UV radiation) serve as energy donors for fluorescent PNPr acceptors. The difference between the wavelengths of the primary absorbed radiation and the finally emitted radiation is 210 nm.

     

Insights into Severe 5,10‐Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Deficiency: Molecular Genetic and Enzymatic Characterization of 76 Patients

5,10‐Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is the most common inherited disorder of folate metabolism and causes severe hyperhomocysteinaemia. To better understand the relationship between mutation and function, we performed molecular genetic analysis of 76 MTHFR deficient patients, followed by extensive enzymatic characterization of fibroblasts from 72 of these. A deleterious mutation was detected on each of the 152 patient alleles, with one allele harboring two mutations. Sixty five different mutations (42 novel) were detected, including a common splicing mutation (c.1542G>A) found in 21 alleles. Using an enzyme assay in the physiological direction, we found residual activity (1.7%–42% of control) in 42 cell lines, of which 28 showed reduced affinity for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), one reduced affinity for methylenetetrahydrofolate, five flavin adenine dinucleotide‐responsiveness, and 24 abnormal kinetics of S‐adenosylmethionine inhibition. Missense mutations causing virtually absent activity were found exclusively in the N‐terminal catalytic domain, whereas missense mutations in the C‐terminal regulatory domain caused decreased NADPH binding and disturbed inhibition by S‐adenosylmethionine. Characterization of patients in this way provides a basis for improved diagnosis using expanded enzymatic criteria, increases understanding of the molecular basis of MTHFR dysfunction, and points to the possible role of cofactor or substrate in the treatment of patients with specific mutations.     

Quality of life of patients after total laryngectomy: the struggle against stigmatization and social exclusion using speech synthesis

In this article, we deal with the problem of potential stigmatization and social exclusion of people that have voice/speech problems due to neck cancer, especially those who have lost their voice because of total laryngectomy, and we analyze how this potential stigmatization could be alleviated by personalized speech synthesis. We used a mixed-method approach, consisting of quality of life questionnaires and in-depth semi-structured interviews, in order to provide more generalizable as well as rich information. We found out that people with speech problems feel depressed because of their health status and anxiety during social interactions, as they think that other people perceive them as abnormal, or they directly experience symbolic violence. For overcoming these negative feelings, the crucial factors are family relationships and maintaining employment. In both factors, speech synthesis can help significantly.

• Implications for rehabilitation

• Personalized speech synthesis can help considerably to people with severe voice impairment in their (re)integration into society.

• Where possible and appropriate, personalized speech synthesis should be offered as an option to “traditional” voice substitutions.

     

Comparison of a Web-Based Dietary Assessment Tool with Software for the Evaluation of Dietary Records

Background

Dietary assessment in clinical practice is performed by means of computer support, either in the form of a web-based tool or software. The aim of the paper is to present the results of the comparison of a Slovenian web-based tool with German software for the evaluation of four-day weighted paper-and-pencil-based dietary records (paper-DRs) in pregnant women.

Methods

A volunteer group of pregnant women (n=63) completed paper-DRs. These records were entered by an experienced research dietitian into a web-based application (Open Platform for Clinical Nutrition, OPEN, http://opkp.si/en, Ljubljana, Slovenia) and software application (Prodi 5.7 Expert plus, Nutri-Science, Stuttgart, Germany, 2011). The results for calculated energy intake, as well as 45 macro- and micronutrient intakes, were statistically compared by using the non-parametric Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The cut-off for Spearman’s rho was set at >0.600.

Results

12 nutritional parameters (energy, carbohydrates, fat, protein, water, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, dietary fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, and stearic acid) were in high correlation (>0.800), 18 in moderate (0.600–0.799), 11 in weak correlation (0.400–0.599), while 5 (arachidonic acid, niacin, alpha-linolenic acid, fluoride, total sugars) did not show any statistical correlation.

Conclusion

Comparison of the results of the evaluation of dietary records using a web-based dietary assessment tool with those using software shows that there is a high correlation for energy and macronutrient content.     

Xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in plants and their role in uptake and biotransformation of veterinary drugs in the environment

Many various xenobiotics permanently enter plants and represent potential danger for their organism. For that reason, plants have evolved extremely sophisticated detoxification systems including a battery of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. Some of them are similar to those in humans and animals, but there are several plant-specific ones. This review briefly introduces xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in plants and summarizes present information about their action toward veterinary drugs. Veterinary drugs are used worldwide to treat diseases and protect animal health. However, veterinary drugs are also unwantedly introduced into environment mostly via animal excrements, they persist in the environment for a long time and may impact on the non-target organisms. Plants are able to uptake, transform the veterinary drugs to non- or less-toxic compounds and store them in the vacuoles and cell walls. This ability may protect not only plant themselves but also other organisms, predominantly invertebrates and wild herbivores. The aim of this review is to emphasize the importance of plants in detoxification of veterinary drugs in the environment. The results of studies, which dealt with transport and biotransformation of veterinary drugs in plants, are summarized and evaluated. In conclusion, the risks and consequences of veterinary drugs in the environment and the possibilities of phytoremediation technologies are considered and future perspectives are outlined.     

Investigating the relationship between the severity of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study

Clinical Rheumatology - This paper evaluates the prevalence and severity of periodontitis (PD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), focusing on the link between the severity of PD with RA...