Duquesne University

About: Duquesne University is a education organization based out in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 3615 authors who have published 7169 publications receiving 180066 citations. The organization is also known as: Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit.

Inhibition of Plasmodium berghei Development in Mosquitoes by Effector Proteins Secreted from Asaia sp. Bacteria Using a Novel Native Secretion Signal.

Abstract: Novel interventions are needed to prevent the transmission of the Plasmodium parasites that cause malaria. One possible method is to supply mosquitoes with antiplasmodial effector proteins from bacteria by paratransgenesis. Mosquitoes have a diverse complement of midgut microbiota including the Gram-negative bacteria Asaia bogorensis. This study presents the first use of Asaia sp. bacteria for paratransgenesis against P. berghei. We identified putative secreted proteins from A. bogorensis by a genetic screen using alkaline phosphatase gene fusions. Two were secreted efficiently: a siderophore receptor protein and a YVTN beta-propeller repeat protein. The siderophore receptor gene was fused with antiplasmodial effector genes including the scorpine antimicrobial peptide and an anti-Pbs21 scFv-Shiva1 immunotoxin. Asaia SF2.1 secreting these fusion proteins were fed to mosquitoes and challenged with Plasmodium berghei-infected blood. With each of these effector constructs, significant inhibition of parasite development was observed. These results provide a novel and promising intervention against malaria transmission.

Aprepitant plus ondansetron compared with ondansetron alone in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting in ambulatory patients undergoing plastic surgery.

Abstract: Background:Postoperative nausea and vomiting is a major challenge in the perioperative setting. The incidence can be as high as 80 percent, and the majority of the symptoms among outpatients occur after discharge. This study evaluated the efficacy of a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist (aprepitant) i

Mechanistic Investigation of the Oxygen‐Atom‐Transfer Reactivity of Dioxo‐molybdenum(VI) Complexes

Abstract: The oxygen-atom-transfer (OAT) reactivity of [LiPrMoO2(OPh)] (1, LiPr=hydrotris(3-isopropylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) with the tertiary phosphines PEt3 and PPh2Me in acetonitrile was investigated. The first step, [LiPrMoO2(OPh)]+PR3-->[LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPR3)], follows a second-order rate law with an associative transition state (PEt3, DeltaH not equal=48.4 (+/-1.9) kJ mol-1, DeltaS not equal=-149.2 (+/-6.4) J mol-1 K-1, DeltaG not equal=92.9 kJ mol-1; PPh2Me, DeltaH not equal=73.4 (+/-3.7) kJ mol-1, DeltaS not equal=-71.9 (+/-2.3) J mol-1 K-1, DeltaG not equal=94.8 kJ mol-1). With PMe3 as a model substrate, the geometry and the free energy of the transition state (TS) for the formation of the phosphine oxide-coordinated intermediate were calculated. The latter, 95 kJ mol-1, is in good agreement with the experimental values. An unexpectedly large O-P-C angle calculated for the TS suggests that there is significant O-nucleophilic attack on the P--C sigma* in addition to the expected nucleophilic attack of the P on the Mo==O pi*. The second step of the reaction, that is, the exchange of the coordinated phosphine oxide with acetonitrile, [LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPR3)]+MeCN-->[LiPrMoO(OPh)(MeCN)]+OPR3, follows a first-order rate law in MeCN. A dissociative interchange (Id) mechanism, with activation parameters of DeltaH not equal=93.5 (+/-0.9) kJ mol-1, DeltaS not equal=18.2 (+/-3.3) J mol-1 K-1, DeltaG not equal=88.1 kJ mol-1 and DeltaH not equal=97.9 (+/-3.4) kJ mol-1, DeltaS not equal=47.3 (+/-11.8) J mol-1 K-1, DeltaG not equal=83.8 kJ mol-1, for [LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPEt3)] (2 a) and [LiPrMoO(OPh)(OPPh2Me)] (2 b), respectively, is consistent with the experimental data. Although gas-phase calculations indicate that the Mo--OPMe3 bond is stronger than the Mo--NCMe bond, solvation provides the driving force for the release of the phosphine oxide and formation of [LiPrMoO(OPh)(MeCN)] (3).

The Experience of Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth in Mental Health Workers

Abstract: In order to add to the body of research that examines the phenomenon of vicarious posttraumatic growth, this study sought to illuminate the lived experiences of mental health professionals who work on a day-to-day basis with multiply traumatized children and adolescents and, as a result, experience measurably high levels of vicarious trauma and compassion satisfaction. The findings from this qualitative study support positive vicarious experiences derived from trauma work and expose the pathologically focused nature of the profession.